Under Pressure: Caring for an Older Loved One with Hypertension

HCC Blog Featured Image Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels (the force of blood pushing against the artery walls) is consistently too high. High blood pressure is known as a silent health risk because there may be no known symptoms, but it can still lead to serious complications like heart attack and stroke.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 have hypertension around the world, and less than half of these adults (42%) with hypertension are properly diagnosed and treated. Older adults (or anyone with high blood pressure) may not be aware of the symptoms they are experiencing. The only way to know if an older adult you love has hypertension is by getting their numbers often checked by their health care provider.

Don’t let high blood pressure get the best of the ones you love

Hypertension Graphic
  • Normal blood pressure: Lower than 120/80 mm Hg.
  • Elevated blood pressure: Top number 120-129 mm Hg, bottom number below 80 mm Hg.
  • Hypertension: Top number 130-139 mm Hg or bottom number 80-89 mm Hg.

A silent menace

Hypertension is a stealthy, quiet threat to health that can often go undetected until it causes serious health issues. It is usually asymptomatic (asymptomatic means that patients do not show symptoms) but may present with headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. The best way to help your older loved one get ahead of hypertension is by making sure they are seeing the doctor for screenings regularly.

In 2021, there were over 600,000 deaths in the United States that noted hypertension as the primary or contributing cause, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension is essential to watch out for in older adults because it increases their risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney, and other diseases. It’s essential to help them understand the necessity of screening so they can become a part of the solution.

Older adults can develop hypertension because of lifestyle choices such as excessive drinking of alcohol, cigarette smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise, and it can be a genetic or other health condition. Encouraging them to make better lifestyle choices by being someone who accompanies them on a walk or shares a meal with them can make a world of difference in their outlook and attitude.

Seven causes of hypertension

  1. Older age
  2. Genetics
  3. Obesity
  4. Sedentary lifestyle
  5. Consuming too much sodium
  6. Excessive alcohol consumption
  7. Smoking

The best and worst foods for high blood pressure

Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”  We all know some foods can hurt while other foods can heal. But how does that translate to high blood pressure? Below is a list that can guide you as you help your loved one make informed dietary choices.

Four foods that lower blood pressure

  1. Fruit and vegetables ( spinach, celery, kale, bananas and strawberries).
  2. Wholegrains (brown rice, wholemeal bread and oats).
  3. Lean protein (chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, and beans instead of red and processed meats).
  4. Low-fat dairy (Low-fat dairy like semi-skimmed milk and low-fat natural yogurt)

4 foods to avoid with high blood pressure

  1. Salty foods (no more than a teaspoon of salt per day).
  2. Sugary and fatty foods
  3. Alcohol (If you drink, do so in moderation).
  4. Excess caffeine (Remember caffeine is not only in coffee and tea, it’s also in energy drinks, chocolate, and some soft drinks)

How to help your loved one stay one step ahead of hypertension

  1. Make compliance a non-issue. Discuss the importance of taking their meds every day.
  2. Address physical changes. Help them understand how hypertension can affect their lives.
  3. Speak to their head and heart. Address psychological aspects such as anxiety or depression.
  4. Encourage them to exercise. Look at the list below to see how exercise can help your loved ones achieve better health.

Exercise is the key to better health.

5-10 Minutes of Brisk Walking a few times a day

Encouraging your loved one to fit in a couple of 10-minute walks throughout the day can make a difference. Walking helps to reduce the stiffness in blood vessels, making it easier for blood to circulate. Experts suggest that splitting exercise into three 10-minute walks per day can be more effective at preventing blood pressure spikes than doing one continuous 30-minute walk.

Biking or Stationary Cycling in 3 (10-15) Minute Intervals

Like walking, cycling is another fantastic option for reducing the stiffness in blood vessels. Three cycling sessions of 10-15 minutes each can help reduce hypertension more effectively than a single extended session.

 Hiking

A gentle hike through nature is a refreshing way to keep active while enjoying the outdoors.

Strength Training

While it’s important to check with your loved one’s doctor before weight training, studies indicate that building muscle strength can improve blood pressure control.

Swimming

Swimming is perfect for older adults. It’s a low-impact way to get the heart pumping, and research shows it’s especially effective at lowering blood pressure for those over 60.

Prevention Strategies

The best thing you can do for your loved one is help them manage hypertension. If you can encourage them to exercise, eat a sensible diet that is high in fiber and low in sodium, and limit their alcohol consumption, you are setting them up for success.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a serious concern for anyone involved in the care of an older adult. The best way to get ahead of this silent and pervasive threat is to carefully monitor the blood pressure of those you love and ensure they see the doctor regularly. Caregiving can also put a toll on you—so take care to monitor your blood pressure.

Contact Home Care Connectors to find out how we can support you as you care for the ones you love.

Sources:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension

https://www.cdc.gov

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