Wednesday, February 3, 2010
High blood pressure is a disease that affects an estimated 72 to 75 million people in the United States.
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries as the blood flows from the heart. When that force stays too high, it becomes a life-threatening condition. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) makes the heart work too hard, hardens the walls of arteries, and can cause the brain to hemorrhage or the kidneys to function poorly or not at all.
A blood pressure reading indicates whether this pressure is low, normal, or high. Every blood pressure reading is given in two numbers. The top number indicates the pressure as the heart beats, or pumps the blood, while the bottom number indicates the pressure between beats. For most adults, the highest desirable readings are 120/80. For seniors, many doctors feel that a 140/90 reading is acceptable. When pressure goes above this level, however it should be treated. Usually it can be controlled through diet, exercise and medication.
Because of the prevalence of this disease, physicians recommend that you check your blood pressure regularly.
Why should you care about high blood pressure? Ninety percent of Americans by age 55 have a liklihood in developing the disease in their life time. High blood pressure can lead to numerous other life-threatening conditions including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. High blood pressure affects circulation, which creates a higher risk for mental deterioration and Alzheimer’s disease.
For many Americans, a lifestyle change would help avoid the illness and provide a better quality of life. I have worked in the senior living industry for 30 years and have seen first hand what hypertension can do to the quality of an older adult’s life and how quite often it will shorten that life. Lifestyle changes are difficult to make at any age and require strong determination and often require support from others.
You would want to take a multi-disciplinary approach in fighting high blood pressure which means talking to your physician and perhaps a nutritionist and also seeking the advice of an expert on physical fitness. All of these experts should have experience in working with seniors and a solid understanding of the special needs of older adults. With this knowledge you can create a healthcare plan which will be your road map to a better life.
Ed Heigl is executive director Crestview Senior Living, Crestwood.
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