Why blood pressure in the elderly matters
Blood pressure is incredibly important for any adult but becomes increasingly important for older adults. Hypertension (high blood pressure) can lead to serious consequences such as cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and aneurysms. Age is a natural high blood pressure risk factor but there are ways to control and manage it.
While hypertension remains the larger concern in blood pressure, hypotension (low blood pressure) also is a concern. When older adults have low blood pressure, the chance of falling increases. The consequence of falls can be disastrous for older adults. Longer recovery periods, bruises, and broken bones are the most common outcomes.
How you can mitigate risk for yourself or your loved one
According to the National Institute on Aging, making these lifestyle changes can reduce risk:
- Lower salt intake
- Exercise
- Healthy diet
- Sleep well
- Quit smoking
- Drink less alcohol
- Manage stress
Resources for blood pressure in the elderly
If you are currently searching for or have already found a place for you or your loved one to live in a senior living community, ask the nurses what their plan is to help manage blood pressure. You could also contact a fitness director to see what type of exercises might be of interest.
- National Institute on Aging
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- American College of Cardiology
If you would like to find out what Grand Living can do to help manage blood pressure, specifically in older adults, please contact us!