Learn How to Manage High Blood Pressure

If you’re an older adult that has a diagnosis of hypertension, or high blood pressure, you’re not alone. As many as 70% of adults aged 65 or older may have high blood pressure. 1 And many of them don’t even know it.

Because high blood pressure can cause serious health problems, it’s important to know how to manage high blood pressure correctly and when to seek extra help from your doctor.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this common condition, and how to lead a healthy life despite the diagnosis. With the right treatment, high blood pressure can be controlled and serious problems can be avoided.

What is high blood pressure?

As your heart squeezes and relaxes when it beats, it pushes blood flow through your circulatory system. This force, or pressure, against blood vessel walls is measured as blood pressure.

The top number in a blood pressure reading is called your systolic blood pressure. This is the force of the heart pushing blood out through your arteries. The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure and is the measurement of the pressure when your heart is at rest.

When these numbers are too high, this is called hypertension or high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are several categories of blood pressure: 2

Normal blood pressure- A systolic reading of <120 mmHg and a diastolic reading of < 80 mmHg (written as 120/80)

Elevated blood pressure- A systolic reading between 120-129 mmHg and a diastolic reading of <80 mmHg

Stage 1 hypertension- A systolic reading between 130-139 mmHg or a diastolic reading between 80-89 mmHg

Stage 2 hypertension- A systolic reading ≥ 140 mmHg or a diastolic reading ≥ 90 mmHg

Health problems caused by high blood pressure

High blood pressure, especially when it is uncontrolled over time, can cause damage to organs and other body systems. This can lead to several serious health conditions, and in a worst-case scenario, even death. In 2020, more than 670,000 deaths in the United States were recorded with high blood pressure as either the main cause or a contributing cause. 3

Health problems linked to high blood pressure include:

Stroke
Heart disease
Kidney failure
Vision problems
Sexual dysfunction

It’s easy to see why taking control of high blood pressure should be a top priority.

What causes high blood pressure?

There are several reasons a person might develop high blood pressure. Sometimes these can happen in combination with each other. The top causes of high blood pressure are: 4

Age- blood pressure tends to increase as we get older

Gender- women are twice as likely as men to have high blood pressure

Race- black people are at especially high risk, at younger ages than other races

Genetics- a family history of high blood pressure increases your risk

Diet- high sodium diets increase blood pressure

Exercise- a sedentary lifestyle can lead to higher blood pressure

Smoking- nicotine is known to increase blood pressure

Alcohol use- excessive alcohol consumption (more than 1-2 drinks per day) elevates blood pressure

Other health conditions- diabetes, for example, is a known risk factor, with as many as 60% of people with diabetes also experiencing high blood pressure

You can make lifestyle changes to avoid some of the causes listed above, but many of these are not something that you can control. You can ask your doctor about your risk factors for developing high blood pressure and be sure to stay on the lookout for any changes that suggest you might be developing a problem.

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

You can’t always know if you have high blood pressure. In fact, it has earned the nickname “the silent killer” because it develops slowly over time and may not be noticeable at all.

The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to check it regularly and make sure you are keeping up with any routine visits to your doctor. This is especially important if you have risk factors for high blood pressure, and as you age.

If you notice consistently high readings at home, you should let your doctor know right away. Early treatment is key to avoiding some of the complications that high blood pressure can cause.

When a person does experience any symptoms related to their blood pressure, it is often a sign of an emergency.

When is high blood pressure an emergency?

Also called a hypertensive crisis, excessively high blood pressure that reads 180/120 mmHg or greater is a medical emergency.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), if you have a headache or nosebleed along with excessively high blood pressure, you should wait 5 minutes and retest. If your blood pressure remains 180/120 mmHg or greater, you should call 911 immediately. 5

What are some ways to manage high blood pressure?

Your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and medication to help manage your high blood pressure. It’s important to work closely with your healthcare providers to make sure your treatment is working correctly.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lists the following lifestyle modifications: 6

Eat heart-healthy, low-sodium foods
Reduce or avoid alcohol intake
Quit smoking
Decrease stress
Increase your activity level
Maintain a healthy weight
Get a good night’s sleep

Along with these changes, taking any blood pressure medication as prescribed can help lower high blood pressure to a healthy range. It’s important to avoid missing doses to keep your blood pressure consistently under control.

If your treatment is successful, it’s important to know that this does not mean that you no longer have high blood pressure. Never stop taking medication or change a dose without talking to your doctor.

Common classes of blood pressure medication include: 7

Beta blockers
ACE inhibitors
Diuretics
Calcium channel blockers
Angiotensin II receptor blockers
Alpha blockers
Alpha-2 receptor agonists
Combined alpha and beta blockers
Vasodilators
Central agonists
Peripheral adrenergic inhibitors

If you’re not sure if you are taking one of these medications, your doctor or pharmacist can help you identify your medications and explain what they are for.

How should I monitor my blood pressure?

To make sure you’re getting an accurate blood pressure reading, there are some basic rules you should follow. The CDC recommends the following: 8

Position the cuff carefully- don’t take your blood pressure over clothing or tighten the cuff. It should be on bare skin and snug.

Keep your feet flat on the ground- don’t cross your legs!

Don’t eat or drink- wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking to take a measurement.

Rest for 5 minutes- sit comfortably in a chair and lean back for a bit before taking your blood pressure reading.

Make sure you empty your bladder- don’t take a reading on a full bladder.

Keep your arm at chest height- rest it on a table while taking the reading.

Wait to talk- don’t have a conversation while your blood pressure is being taken.

Keeping a log of your readings, along with dates and times, will help your doctor see how well your blood pressure treatment is working and whether any of your medications should be adjusted.

Being proactive can help manage your blood pressure

Understanding your blood pressure, working with your healthcare providers, and sticking with your treatment plan can help you avoid the complications we’ve discussed. It can even improve your overall health.

Always be sure to let your doctor know if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment. They can work with you to make changes that make it easier to stick with a treatment that works.

As part of managing your blood pressure and healthcare, don’t forget to enlist the help of family or trusted caregivers. They can support you in taking your medication on time, advocate for you at appointments, help you remember questions to ask your doctor, and make sure you have transportation to doctor’s visits if you need it.

Adding professional caregiving services can help you meet your healthcare goals. Caresify’s team of experts can guide you through customized care in your home, to help you with activities of daily living and other non-medical care. To learn more, you can visit our home page, or call 888-799-5007.

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