Keep the Pressure Down: Tips for Seniors with High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure could happen to anyone, but older adults must be especially careful as this condition could lead to more serious health risks down the line. Fortunately, seniors can take action now to reduce their health risk, while also improving their quality of life. In this article, our senior caregivers in Gloucester County will discuss the dangers of high blood pressure for older adults and ways they can lower their blood pressure.
Why is high blood pressure dangerous for older adults?
If high blood pressure isn’t under control, it can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, strokes, vascular dementia, kidney disease, and eye problems – to name a few. What’s worse is high blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it doesn’t always cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. Some seniors may not know that they have it, especially if they are in generally good shape. Step number one is for everyone reading to make an appointment with their primary care physician to check their blood pressure.
Tips for seniors to lower their blood pressure:
- Choose to live a healthier lifestyle. Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet can make all the difference in controlling risk factors. Eliminate smoking (if applicable) and foods in your diet that are high in saturated fat, like bacon or sausage. You could also try preparing your food in a healthier way. For example, instead of breading and deep frying chicken cutlets, you can use a spice-based marinade and cook the chicken in an air fryer to eliminate all the added oil.
- Maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Blood pressure and cholesterol go hand in hand. Healthy cholesterol numbers are one of the first steps to good blood pressure. Higher levels indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood. It’s important to note your ideal levels may not be someone else’s ideal levels. Remember that cholesterol numbers depend on your individual risk factors and heart history, so we recommend speaking to your primary care doctor about your unique medical history and the best ways to maintain ideal cholesterol levels.
- Manage stress more effectively. Chronic stress is a serious and often overlooked risk factor for high blood pressure, which can then lead to something more serious like heart disease. If you are constantly overwhelmed or anxious, something’s gotta give. Some healthy ways to relieve stress include taking a quiet walk outside, attending a yoga class, catching up with an old friend, or curling up with a new book. Try to set a good amount of time aside each week to do an activity that not only relieves stress but is something you truly enjoy doing. If this doesn’t work or doesn’t have enough of an impact, we recommend speaking to professionals about different stress management methods.
Healthy, independent senior lifestyles in Pitman, NJ
Here at United Methodist Communities, we are well equipped with a team of licensed nurses, therapists, and specialists to manage many different medical conditions in our senior residents, such as high blood pressure. We also encourage healthy, independent lifestyles through nutritious meal plans, an array of fun exercise classes, and assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) when needed. Our unique amenities, coupled with our compassionate senior care services, can help put your mind and the minds of your family members at ease.
Please call one of our senior living advisors in Gloucester County to find out how we can meet the needs of your loved one and yourself. To learn more about our independent lifestyles with support across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today or visit our website: https://umcommunities.org/pitman/
