There are a number of my friends and relatives that are diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, and most take medications to control the condition. I wonder if they truly understand the ramifications of having high blood pressure and its link to heart disease among seniors and younger generations.
Since February is Heart Health Month, it is important that we focus on our cardiovascular system and take measures to keep our tickers ticking optimally for years to come!
So, as I was researching the latest information about heart health and seniors, I found an article released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that shares some interesting facts about high blood pressure every senior should know.
According to the CDC, “What you don’t know about high blood pressure could hurt you. High blood pressure affects nearly half of the adult population in the United States, yet many people who have the condition don’t know they have it.”
This is alarming, and so are these other five facts about high blood every senior should know:
- High Blood Pressure is Possibly Linked to Dementia – Recent studies have shown a possible link between high blood pressure and dementia. When adults ages 44-66, suffer from hypertension, the risk factors increase for the development of dementia later in life.
- High Blood Pressure Presents with No Symptoms – Often referred to as “the silent killer,” high blood pressure has no symptoms. It’s very important to see your primary care provider regularly and get your blood pressure checked. It is generally a standard practice of healthcare providers to do that anyway. You can also visit your local pharmacy for a blood pressure check or consider investing in an easy-to-use blood pressure monitor, so you can keep tabs on your ticker in the comfort of your own home.
- One in Three Adults do not Know they Have High Blood Pressure – People go about their days without any indication they have a problem with hypertension. This means the condition is going untreated or uncontrolled. Be sure to ask your healthcare team about the status of your blood pressure, what the numbers mean, and what you can do to control your blood pressure for a healthier heart.
- Women and African Americans with High Blood Pressure Face Unique Risks – “Women with high blood pressure who become pregnant are more likely to have complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy can harm a mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight babies,” the article states. Also, is prevalent amongst African American men and women more than any other race or ethnic group. This may be primarily due to the higher rates of obesity and diabetes in the group.
- Younger Generations Suffer From High Blood Pressure – High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, and more younger men and women, ages 20-44, are being impacted by stroke than ever before. The CDC recognizes a higher level of high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes in this age group, all of which contributes to stroke. Members of this age group should see their healthcare provider and find out how frequently their blood pressure should be checked. If one does not have an at-home blood pressure monitoring device, blood pressure checkups can be facilitated at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy.
Do you know if you have high blood pressure? Hopefully, this information will encourage you to find out! If you or a senior loved one has high blood pressure and there are concerns about their lifestyle and other risk factors, I am happy to offer a FREE Consultation to assess the situation and share resources or make recommendations for in-home care services to help.
Home Helpers® caregivers are highly-trained to provide non-medical assistance during stroke recovery, recuperative care, respite care for family caregivers and so much more!
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2016-2022 and the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2022. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
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