“My wife used to say that I’m a savage. Now I have proven her wrong by getting one of those civilisation diseases!”
Cardiovascular diseases are often referred to as diseases of civilisation, as the development of civilisation is largely responsible for their emergence.
Unfortunately, they are one of the leading causes of death for people over 60 in many European countries and around the world. Experts and doctors believe that this state of affairs is certainly caused by changes in the physiology of the cardiovascular system of the body with age, but also by the lack of appropriate preventive measures.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms. It’s an ailment whose risk of appearing increases with age. It occurs in 60-70% of the elderly.
How to read a blood pressure measurement?
The blood pressure is measuring with a special tool — a pressure gauge, which shows two values.
Systolic blood pressure
(the first value)
It indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure
(the second value)
It indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
The meaning of the blood pressure numbers:
(The five blood pressure ranges according to the American Heart Association)
Source: the American Heart Association www.heart.org
Normal
Blood pressure numbers of less than 120 mm Hg systolic blood pressure and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure are considered within the normal range. If the results fall into this category, stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
Elevated
Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120-129 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.
Hypertension Stage 1
Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 mm Hg systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe lifestyle changes and may consider adding blood pressure medication based on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), such as heart attack or stroke.
Hypertension Stage 2
Hypertension Stage 2 is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic or higher. At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive crisis
This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If the blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If the readings are still unusually high, contact the doctor immediately. It could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.
If the blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and there are experiencing signs of possible organ damage such as chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness/weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, do not wait to see if the pressure comes down on its own.
A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional.
Which number is more important?
Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure (the first number) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to the increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term buildup of plaque and an increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease.
However, either an elevated systolic or an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure. According to recent studies, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.
To monitor blood pressure, the elderly should measure it at least once a day (preferably at a fixed time). It is worth writing down the measurements so that a doctor can check and offer appropriate treatment. For the elderly, it is also very important to have a periodic echocardiographic heart examination to help determine how the organ works and to make sure that the walls are not overgrown.
What causes hypertension?
The most common causes of high blood pressure in the elderly are:
genetic tendencies
being overweight or obese
inadequate diet (e.g. excessive caloric content of meals, excessive amount of salt in food) also caused by lack of appetite in the elderly
stress
lack of physical activity
diseases (diabetes, vascular atherosclerosis, kidney disease, adrenal disease)
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
Symptoms of hypertension in the elderly may include:
dizziness (appearing in the morning after getting out of bed or during the day, as well as during physical exertion)
headaches (usually in the back of the head)
tinnitus (may occur at different times of the day, in some people it starts in the morning, in others only in the afternoon)
palpitations (most often appearing at different times of the day, rarely at night, stopping after a short time – from a few to a dozen or so minutes)
hot flushes
excessive sweating
shortness of breath
redness on the face and around the neckline
Treatment and prevention
For elderly people suffering from hypertension, one of the main preventive measures is to have a sufficient amount of rest. Relaxation and sleep help the elderly to minimise stress which negatively affects blood pressure. An important element of prevention is to ensure a healthy diet. Physical activity (appropriate for the age) as well as mental support and caring for the elderly are also crucial.
Remember that the choice of medicines for hypertension should be recommended by a doctor, especially if the elderly person is taking other medicines.
Common Diseases of the Elderly:12% complete