Better Blood Pressure Management For Older Adults And Senior Living In AZ

You aren’t alone if you are concerned about high blood pressure (BP), or are worried about a senior relative having a stroke or heart attacks as high blood pressure or hypertension is the most common chronic condition among the elderly. You’d be surprised to know that medications for blood pressure are among the most commonly taken drugs in the United States. Additionally, hypertension not kept in check is a major contributor to most causes of death and disability in senior people, such as strokes, heart attacks and heart failure. This highlights the importance of thinking about blood pressure in terms of whether you are taking enough blood pressure medications, whether your BP is at the right level.

The senior health challenges that Anthem Senior Living in Phoenix, AZ works with include dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, companionship care, cancer, wound care and more. Anthem Senior Living is an award-winning assisted facility in the region where experienced caregivers offer highest level of assisted care to senior residents.

Few key terms associated with blood pressure which you should know includes

1. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), which is the top number when BP is checked.
2. Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)- the lower number when blood pressure is checked.
3. Pulse/the heart rate
4. Hypertension- it is defined as blood pressure above 140/90 and is considered serious if the pressure is above 180/120.

Better Blood Pressure Management:

Purchase A High-end Home Blood Pressure Monitor– Experts recommend purchasing a home blood pressure monitor since studies have found home-based blood pressure measurements to be better than office-based measurements as they better reflect an individual’s blood pressure over a period of 24 hours.

BP Checking Guideline– In our body, blood pressure constantly changes and sometimes a lot of change happens which means BP should be checked several days in a row in order for you to have several readings that could be averaged. You’ll get a more accurate picture of your BP by averaging several daily readings.

Create An Updated List Of All Current Medications– Your healthcare providers, in order to determine your BP treatment plan will need to know the medications you are currently on, and you should start by listing those for heart or BP. Move on to listing others. It is as important to list all supplements, vitamins, herbs and over-the-counter medications. Also, let your doctor know if your senior loved one has been skipping any of the medications that affect BP. Also, notify them about side-effects, cost or other related concerns.

Create List Of Lifestyle Changes You Are Following To Keep BP In Check– Apart from prescription medications, many lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, reducing sodium intake, etc. have also been shown to help lower BP. Let your doctor know about the lifestyle changes you are using. Many of these lifestyle approaches are great for senior people because they benefit health in more ways than one.

Fix An Appointment With Your Doctor To Discuss BP Management– It goes without saying that your doctor can help you identify a good target blood pressure goal. Besides, he/she can help you develop a plan to reach that goal. Not only should you be carrying your home BP readings, but also your up-to-date medication list.

You need to make the effort as proper blood pressure management is more work and takes a little more time than just visiting your doctor and having them check your BP. But the benefits that you’ll gain will be totally worth the time you spend.