What Seniors Need to Know About Blood Pressure

Many of us are familiar with the leading causes of death: Heart disease, cancer and stroke to name a few. But did you know that high blood pressure is considered a “silent killer”? Traditionally, a normal blood pressure level was 120/80 and above 140/90 was considered high. Recently, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have revised the guidelines to make 130/80 “high”.

Why is this change important for seniors?

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is an essential reading of our circulatory system. How forcefully is blood pushing against the vessel walls? The top number measures pressure in the blood vessels as your heart beats, while the bottom number measures pressure in the blood vessels at rest between beats.

When a person has high blood pressure or hypertension, the pressure in their arteries is considered higher than normal. The normal range was formally defined as lower than 140/90 millimeters of mercury but has been changed to lower than 130/80.

How Are Seniors Affected?

High blood pressure is a common condition in American adults, especially the elderly population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 66.7 percent of men and 78.5 percent of women age 75 or older have hypertension. Figures from 2013 indicate that 1,000 deaths a day were linked to high blood pressure.

Now that the guidelines have been lowered, we must pay attention to this measurement to prevent more fatalities.

Tips to Manage Blood Pressure

No matter your age, factors like obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases can contribute to high blood pressure. For aging adults, blood pressure management is critical to help ward off further health complications. The following tips can help seniors keep their number low:

• Maintain an active lifestyle
• Sustain a healthy weight
• Eat well, avoiding high sodium
• Don’t smoke tobacco
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Manage medications safely

If there is a history of high blood pressure in your family, risk is much higher. Yet, these steps can help decrease the chances of developing this condition.
 
Does your aging loved one suffer from high blood pressure or another serious health problem? At West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Services, our experienced medical and nursing staff can provide round-the-clock care. Learn more about our admissions process!