Home » Hypertension in the Elderly High blood pressure or hypertension is a life-threatening disease which is prevalent among elderly people. Longstanding high blood pressure impairs the heart and kidneys and exposes the risk of cardiac attack, stroke and aneurysm. Hypertension generally develops slowly and silently, making it very difficult for the patient to apprehend the threats it is eventually going to pose. Symptoms are hard to diagnose and hence, most patients go either untreated or under treated. Hypertension in the elderly is common to individuals over the age of 65. In the elderly, hypertension characteristically assumes the form of low diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and orthostatic hypotension. In medical practice, blood pressure readings are showed by two numbers separated by a slash. The first number stands for systolic blood pressure and the second for diastolic. Orthostatic hypotension occurs due to a radical fall in blood pressure when a person stands up. It results in fainting and vertigo.

Despite all of these complications can be dealt with successfully, the unfortunate fact remains that the treatment for hypertension in the elder needs much attention and care. The pertinent aspects of elderly care are still unknown to many health care professionals and doctors. Identifying the nature of hypertension in the elderly is of foremost importance before embarking on any kind of treatment. Flawless measurement of blood pressure has to be the first step towards getting things set on the right track. The sphygmomanometer must be proportionate to the prescribed size so that inaccurate readings do not hamper the right course of treatment.

Before taking note of blood pressure for the treatment of hypertension in the elderly, one must follow some stringent steps with regards to one's eating and drinking habit. Ideally no food should be taken an hour prior to blood pressure test. Smoking or drinking should also be done away with.