- How to detect high blood pressure in the elderly
- Here's how to measure blood pressure correctly:
- Why the pressure is higher in the elderly
- Peculiarities in hypertension in the elderly
- How the treatment is done
High blood pressure in the elderly, known scientifically as hypertension, should be controlled whenever it is detected, as high blood pressure at older ages greatly increases the risk of developing serious cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack or stroke. Contrary to popular belief, in most cases, high blood pressure does not cause symptoms, and acts silently on the body predisposing to complications.
It is common for the pressure to increase with age, due to the aging of blood vessels, and it is for this reason that, in the elderly, hypertension is only considered when the pressure value exceeds 150 x 90 mmHg, differently from young adults, which is when it is greater than 140 x 90 mmHg.
Despite this, the elderly should not be careless, and when the pressure already shows signs of increasing, it is important to modify habits such as reducing salt and practicing physical activities, and, when instructed, use the drugs prescribed by the doctor, such as Enalapril or Losartana, for example.
How to detect high blood pressure in the elderly
Normally, hypertension in the elderly does not cause symptoms, except when suddenly out of control, and the diagnosis can be made by measuring blood pressure in the conventional way by the nurse or doctor, being considered high when it reaches values equal to or greater than 150 x 90 mmHg.
However, when there are doubts about the time that is increasing or if it is really high, it is also possible to perform some diagnostic tests, such as MRPA, or home blood pressure monitoring, with several weekly measurements at home or at the health center, or through MAPA, which is ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, done by placing a device attached to the body for 2 to 3 days, making several assessments throughout the day.
Here's how to measure blood pressure correctly:
Why the pressure is higher in the elderly
Some risk factors for arterial hypertension in the elderly include:
- Age over 65 years; Hypertension in the family; Overweight or obesity; Diabetes or high cholesterol and triglycerides; Consumption of alcoholic beverages and being a smoker.
Blood pressure tends to rise as age increases because, as you get older, the body undergoes some changes, such as stiffness and microlesions in the walls of blood vessels, in addition to changes in hormones during menopause and greater impairment in the function of important organs such as heart and kidneys.
Therefore, it is very important to make the routine annual check-up consultations with the general practitioner, geriatrician or cardiologist, so that changes are detected as soon as possible.
Peculiarities in hypertension in the elderly
See, in the table below, what are the peculiarities in hypertension in the elderly:
| Young Adult | Old man | Elderly with diabetes | |
| Optimal pressure | <120 x 80 mmHg | <120 x 80 mmHg | <120 x 80 mmHg |
| Prehypertensive | 120 x 80 mmHg to 139 x 89 mmHg | 120 x 80 mmHg to 149 x 89 mmHg | 120 x 80 mmHg to 139 x 89 mmHg |
| Hypertensive | > ou = 140 x 90 mmHg | > ou = at 150 x 90 mmHg | > ou = 140 x 90 mmHg |
The value of high blood pressure is a little different in the elderly, as it is considered natural that the pressure is a little higher in this period.
Thus, the ideal pressure for the elderly should be up to 120 x 80 mmHg, but it is considered acceptable up to 149 x 89 mmHg. However, the pressure should be controlled more rigorously, and should be below 140 x 90 mmHg or 130 x 90 mmHg in the elderly who have other diseases, such as diabetes, kidney failure or heart disease.
How the treatment is done
To treat high blood pressure in the elderly, it is necessary to make some lifestyle changes, such as:
- Go to the doctor every 3 months to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment; Reduction of weight, in case of excess weight; Decrease in the consumption of alcoholic beverages and stop smoking; Reduce the consumption of salt and avoid foods rich in fats such as sausages, snacks and ready meals; Practice aerobic physical activity, at least 3 times a week. See which are the best exercises for the elderly; Consume foods richer in potassium, magnesium, calcium and fiber; Perform some relaxation technique, such as yoga or pilates.
Drug treatment is also carried out, especially in cases where the pressure is too high or has not reduced enough with changes in lifestyle, done through the use of drugs that aim to reduce the pressure and some examples include diuretics, antagonists of the calcium channel, angiotensin inhibitors and beta blockers, for example. For more details on these remedies, see remedies to control high blood pressure.
In addition, it is important to emphasize that the treatment for hypertension in the elderly should be done very carefully and individually, especially for those who have other health problems such as heart disease, urinary incontinence and a tendency to feel dizzy when standing up.
It is also advised to follow a diet rich in vegetables, not least because some have active ingredients that can complement the treatment with medicines, such as garlic tea, eggplant juices with orange or beet with passion fruit, for example, which improve circulation and are diuretics, helping to control pressure. Check out some recipes for natural remedies for high blood pressure.
