Hypertension Treatment in the Elderly

About 65 percent of Americans 65 and older suffer from hypertension, according to Dr. Christopher Ndubuka-Irobunda of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases someone's risk for stroke, kidney failure and heart disease. Because people are more susceptible to complications from this condition with age, it is especially important to prevent high blood pressure in the elderly.

• Many elderly people suffer from hypertension.

Exercise

• It is extremely important that elderly patients with hypertension keep their hearts functioning healthily, reduce stress and lower their blood pressure. To this end, adequate exercise is a must. Most elderly people should not participate in high-impact aerobic exercise. Dr. Ndubuka-Irobunda recommends moderate exercise three to five times a week for a half an hour at a time. Dancing, swimming, walking and bowling are good moderate exercises for older people who need to lower their blood pressure.

Diet

• Maintaining a healthy diet is vital to elderly people when it comes to controlling hypertension. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, potassium and fiber can help lower blood pressure significantly. Foods that are high in sodium and fat, especially saturated fat, should be avoided as much as possible. Whole grain cereals, rice and pasta provide needed fiber and should be consumed every day by elderly. Dr. Ndubuka-Irobunda recommends that his elderly hypertension patients eat fish that have a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and mackerel.

Tobacco & Alcohol

• Smoking and using other tobacco products can cause serious damage to the lungs and heart, along with raising blood pressure. Tobacco use should be avoided completely, especially in elderly patients with high blood pressure. Alcohol use should be carefully monitored. Studies have shown that one drink a day may help prevent heart disease in men over 45 and women over 55. Dr. Ndubuka-Irobunda advises his elderly hypertension patients to limit alcohol intake to no more than 24 ounces of beer, 2 ounces of whiskey or 1 ounce of wine a day.

Drug Therapy

• If lifestyle changes fail to adequately lower high blood pressure, drugs to control hypertension may be prescribed. Low-dose diuretics are usually used first in elderly hypertension patients with no other risk factors for heart disease. Patients who have had a prior heart attack or irregular heartbeats may do better on a beta-blocker, which lowers the heart rate in addition to lowering blood pressure. Elderly patients with diabetes or chronic lung disease may be prescribed other drugs to lower their blood pressure that also decrease the deterioration of kidney function.

Monitor Blood Pressure

• Elderly hypertension patients should monitor their blood pressure as often as possible. Patients with blood pressure machines at home or that are easily accessible should measure it once or twice daily. Keeping track of blood pressure readings will help the patient's doctor properly diagnose and monitor hypertension and recommend a treatment plan. Careful monitoring is also especially important because the elderly are more likely to develop low blood pressure and problems from drug interactions and reactions as a result of treatment.