High blood pressure is a cause for concern since it increases a senior’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Managing blood pressure effectively can reduce the likelihood of stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. It’s important to know the obvious and not-so-obvious factors that can raise a senior’s blood pressure.

What is high blood pressure?

Arteries carry blood from the heart to various other parts of the body. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as it travels. It is normal for blood pressure to rise and fall over the course of each day.

Two numbers measure blood pressure: the top number indicates systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure inside the arteries with every heartbeat; the bottom number reveals diastolic blood pressure, a measurement of the pressure in the arteries as the heart rests between beats.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. When blood pressure readings are consistently higher than normal, the senior is diagnosed with high blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can increase the risk of health problems, like cardiovascular disease and stroke.

What causes high blood pressure?

Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a lack of regular exercise, can raise a senior’s blood pressure. Obesity and diabetes can also trigger high blood pressure. As a condition that develops over time, high blood pressure usually does not come with warning signs or symptoms.

1. Air Pollution

While stress, sodium and salt are also known to cause a spike in blood pressure, other surprising factors can lead to the condition. Air pollution from cars, fuel burning, and dust on roadways can have an adverse effect on a senior’s blood pressure. Filtering the air helps lower blood pressure.

2. Alcohol

Blood pressure rises significantly in the short- and long-term after drinking alcohol. Blood vessels constrict as the liver metabolizes the liquor. Regularly consuming excessive amounts of alcohol causes consistently higher-than-normal blood pressure. Cutting back on drinking can lower blood pressure.

3. Sugar

When seniors eat foods containing added sugars, their bodies release insulin to transfer the sugar from the blood and into the cells. Insulin, however, may drive up blood pressure in many people. Added sugars are found in cakes, cookies, and cereals. Reduce daily added sugar intakes to control blood pressure.

4. Smoking

The nicotine found in cigarettes is responsible for raising blood pressure levels. In fact, nonsmokers have lower blood pressure than smokers. Smoking causes the blood vessels to narrow and the heart to beat faster, both of which elevate blood pressure. Seniors who smoke are urged to quit.

5. Over-the-Counter Medications

Certain common nonprescription drugs can raise blood pressure. Aging adults who regularly use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen and naproxen, or drugs that control pain, like acetaminophen, should consult their doctor to prevent an unwanted rise in blood pressure levels.

Other drugs can raise blood pressure. Decongestants, while relieving nasal stuffiness by narrowing blood vessels, can cause a rise in blood pressure. Supplements, like ginseng and ephedra, cause the same. Seniors who want to manage blood pressure are advised to avoid taking these medicines routinely.

6. Sleep Apnea

A bump in blood pressure can occur in seniors who suffer from sleep apnea. This disorder causes an individual to stop and restart breathing several times throughout the night. Age and obesity are two of the biggest risk factors for developing sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea prevents seniors from receiving a quality night’s sleep. The constant waking, which can be up to 30 times an hour, taxes the older adult’s vascular system. The resulting stress and strain drive up blood pressure not only during nighttime sleep but during wakefulness the entire day.

7. Black Licorice

The compound glycyrrhizin is derived from the licorice root. Contained in licorice-flavored candy, the compound can cause the senior’s body to retain water and salt—which causes a spike in blood pressure. Aging adults are warned to not consume large amounts of black licorice at one time.

How do seniors control blood pressure?

Lifestyle changes are the key to lowering blood pressure in seniors who are diagnosed with high blood pressure. A healthy lifestyle can keep blood pressure at a healthy range. Seniors are urged to avoid smoking and manage their stress levels to prevent a rise in blood pressure.

Seniors should incorporate at least 150 minutes of physical activity into each week; exercise can be broken down into 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week. Seniors should eat a healthy diet, which includes limiting sodium and alcohol. Maintain a healthy weight to keep high blood pressure at bay.

Some seniors with high blood pressure may need to take medications to keep their condition under control. By living a healthy lifestyle, elderly individuals protect themselves from the health conditions caused by high blood pressure, such as heart disease and stroke.

Seniors who think they have high blood pressure are urged to consult a medical expert. When families are too busy to take an elderly loved one to the doctor, Assisting Hands Home Care can help. Our professional caregivers support seniors as they manage their condition.

Dedicated caregivers from our home care agency provide safe transportation to doctors’ offices. If the physician prescribes medicine, our trained caregivers provide medication reminders to ensure medication compliance. Our caregiver will also shop for fresh groceries and prepare balanced meals so that the senior consumes a healthy diet.

Non-medical home care is our area of expertise. We provide assistance with the activities of daily living, as well as specialized non-medical care, such as after-surgery home care, companion care, compassionate dementia care, hospice home care, Parkinson’s care, and overnight care.

As a licensed, full-service senior home care agency, Assisting Hands Home Care is prepared to support your elderly loved one as she ages in place. Our bonded and insured caregivers are privileged to serve older adults living in BallenIsles, Boynton Beach, North Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, FL and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (561) 566-5989 to schedule an in-home consultation.