By Ewa Frydel, Owner

You can probably count on one hand the amount of people you know with high blood pressure.

Throughout the world, countless individuals are on medications to maintain lower blood pressure, but is medication the only treatment?

For many adults, lifestyle changes can be enough, like eating healthier foods and exercise, to reduce high blood pressure. However, seniors are particularly susceptible due to age-related changes in their cardiovascular system.

This blog will explore why seniors are more at risk and ways we can help them prevent high blood pressure.

If you’re here and not a senior, you may want to take some notes, too. There’s no better time than now to build your heart health.

How High Blood Pressure Impacts Our Seniors

When our blood is forced against the artery walls consistently, we have high blood pressure. This can happen from time to time, but if left uncontrolled, it can lead to serious complications. Seniors already have aging to their arterial walls which means it is crucial they check this fast. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and vision issues.

How to Prevent High Blood Pressure in Seniors

Firstly, let’s view prevention with a focus on maintaining cardiovascular health.

1. Eating Whole Foods. We write this a lot in our blogs because it is very important! Consuming a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, can have a significant impact on every aspect of our health.

   Seniors will want to develop a palate for simple foods close to nature. Avoid or limit high sodium or salt intake, processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars. Keeping foods simple to digest is easier on our bodies and entire system, especially how we transfer nutrition through our blood and feed the cells of our bodies.

2. Exercise for Circulation. Moderate-intense physical activities are beneficial for heart health. Walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing can help lower blood pressure. Many people focus only on strength training and can deadlift hundreds of pounds, but make them do 20 jump squats and they’re gasping for air.

   Our heart is a muscle and requires exercise to stay strong and pump properly, helping with normal blood pressure. Make sure you prioritize aerobic activity.

3. Weight Management. There are cultures who wear belly chains to keep their mid-section the same width. If the chain rises, they’ve put on weight. Belly fat, especially, contributes to cardiovascular issues.

   You don’t need to wear a gold chain around your torso, but making sure your clothes fit the same and the number on the scale is close to the same can help keep your weight in check.

   If you need to lose weight, speak with your doctor about a healthy regimen and lifestyle changes. Even five pounds lost can make a difference in lowering your blood pressure.

Manage Blood Pressure for Seniors

There are many ways to manage blood pressure listed above, but in a nutshell:

-Reduce stress

-Keep a blood pressure monitor within reach and visible

-Eat a diet rich in whole foods

-Perform moderate-intensity aerobic exercises

-Regularly check in with your doctor

-Avoid harmful things such as smoking, alcohol, high sodium foods and preservatives

High blood pressure is normal, normal as in, many people have it than not. Be better than normal! Be “below” average and get your blood pressure down.

For more information about high blood pressure in seniors, contact their healthcare professional. You may also contact us for more resources.

We’re here to help!

Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about blood pressure in the elderly and is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice.