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What Is Hypertension And How Can Seniors Manage Their Blood Pressure?

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart health and the risks associated with hypertension. Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension affects millions of older adults and significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions. The good news is that hypertension can be managed with lifestyle changes and proper care. Here's what seniors need to know about hypertension and strategies for keeping blood pressure under control.

Understanding Hypertension

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. A normal blood pressure reading is generally around 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension occurs when blood pressure consistently exceeds 130/80 mm Hg. Many people with high blood pressure experience no symptoms, earning it the nickname "the silent killer." However, some may notice signs such as:

— Frequent headaches

— Dizziness

— Shortness of breath

— Chest pain

— Blurred vision

If left untreated, hypertension can lead to serious complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.

Causes of Hypertension in Seniors

Several factors contribute to hypertension, particularly in older adults, including:

— Age-related changes: Blood vessels naturally stiffen with age, which can increase blood pressure.

— Lifestyle factors: Diet, physical inactivity, and stress are common contributors.

— Chronic conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, and other medical conditions can also raise blood pressure.

— Medications: Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications may impact blood pressure levels.

Strategies for Managing Hypertension

Managing blood pressure is essential to reducing the risk of heart-related complications. Here are some steps seniors can take to control hypertension:

1. Make Dietary Adjustments

— Reduce sodium: High sodium intake can raise blood pressure. Limit salt by reading labels, avoiding processed foods, and seasoning with herbs instead of salt.

— Limit saturated fats and trans fats: Choose lean proteins, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats like those found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts.

— Cut back on caffeine: Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure. Limit coffee, tea, and energy drinks if they cause spikes in your readings.

— Eat more fruits and vegetables: Leafy greens, berries, and potassium-rich foods like bananas can help lower blood pressure.

2. Increase Physical Activity

Regular exercise strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and helps maintain a healthy weight. Seniors should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, most days of the week. Consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise program.

3. Manage Stress

Chronic stress contributes to elevated blood pressure. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can promote calmness and lower stress levels. Even hobbies and social connections can improve emotional well-being and reduce tension.

4. Monitor Blood Pressure Regularly

Home blood pressure monitors allow seniors to keep track of their readings between doctor visits. Consistent monitoring helps ensure that treatment strategies are working.

Partner with Always Best Care

for Health and Wellness

Managing hypertension requires consistency and support. An in-home caregiver from Always Best Care can assist with meal preparation, encourage physical activity, and help manage medications to keep blood pressure under control. Take charge of your heart health this American Heart Month and beyond.

——

Information provided by Always Best Care. Always Best Care is a non-medical homecare services provider allowing people to continue their independence and enjoy their daily routines in their home with familiar surroundings. To set up an appointment for a no obligation in-home consultation call 330-385-5960.


FAQs You May Have On Blood Pressure And Heart Health

This is where your healthcare team can best guide you, answering common questions about hypertension and your heart. These may include healthy BP levels, certain foods and exercises you can embrace, and how medications or lifestyle changes may affect your blood pressure, heart, and overall health.


Rewards Of Tight Blood Pressure Control Outweigh Risks, Trial Finds

Key Takeaways

  • The benefits of tight blood pressure control outweigh the risks, clinical trial data show

  • Seniors benefitted from keeping their blood pressure down to 120 systolic

  • The heart benefits and lower risk of death outweighed the risk of kidney damage or severe low blood pressure posed by aggressive treatment

    • FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- The health benefits of aggressive blood pressure control outweigh the potential risks for seniors, according to the latest results from a major clinical trial.

    About 85% of seniors treated to a target blood pressure of 120 systolic (the top number in a blood pressure reading) had a positive net benefit from such tight control, researchers reported.

    The reduced risk of heart disease and early death outweighed the negatives that can accompany such aggressive treatment, which include potential kidney damage or dangerously low blood pressure, results show.

    "Almost all … participants aged 65 years or greater had a predicted net benefit that favored an systolic blood pressure target of less than 120 mm Hg over a systolic blood pressure target of less than 140 mm Hg," concluded the research team led by senior investigator Dr. Simon Ascher, an assistant clinical professor with the University of California-Davis.

    Systolic blood pressure refers to pressure within blood vessels during a heartbeat.

    Elderly patients, frail seniors and those taking many different medications derived "greater absolute harms from intensive blood pressure lowering," along with greater heart disease, cognitive and death rate benefits, the study found. 

    These results come from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), which in 2017 led major U.S. Cardiology groups to revise their definition of high blood pressure.

    As a result, blood pressure of 130 systolic has been considered "high" for the past eight years, down from a target of lower than 140 systolic prior to the release of the first SPRINT results. 

    Normal blood pressure is considered less than 120 systolic, while anything between 120 and 130 is considered elevated but not yet high blood pressure.

    For the new study, researchers conducted more in-depth analysis of more than 5,100 SPRINT participants 65 and older, comparing those assigned to aggressive treatment against those treated to a target of 140 systolic.

    "These findings indicate that when accounting for an individual's estimated risks and outcome preferences, the benefits of intensive BP lowering outweigh the harms for most SPRINT-eligible, community-dwelling older adults with hypertension, especially among high-risk subgroups who are often assumed to neither tolerate nor benefit from intensive BP lowering," researchers concluded.

    The results are particularly important given that most Americans have poorly controlled blood pressure, the research team said.

    "Less than half of U.S. Adults aged 65 years or greater with a hypertension diagnosis have well-controlled BP, defined as BP less than 130/80 mm Hg," the researchers wrote.

    Part of the problem is that doctors have been reluctant to strictly treat high blood pressure among patients who are elderly, frail and taking a number of medications, researchers said.

    "Our findings suggest that, contrary to conventional wisdom, factors such as age, frailty, or polypharmacy should not be viewed as barriers to intensive BP lowering," the team concluded.

    The new study was published Feb. 18 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

    More information

    The American Heart Association has more about high blood pressure.

    SOURCE: American Geriatrics Society, news release, Feb. 19, 2025

    What This Means For You

    Seniors with blood pressure above 120 systolic should talk with their doctor about whether more aggressive treatment could benefit them.





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