The Effects of Age on Blood Pressure

Aging affects the cardiovascular system as a whole. The changes caused by aging cause the heart to be less efficient. The blood vessels and the heart itself are affected, and this can cause an increase in blood pressure.

Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure is created by the force of the arteries resisting the blood flow and by the force of the heart pumping blood into the arteries.

Aging Arteries

• Arteries become smaller and less pliable as the body ages. This loss of elasticity causes the heart to work harder to push the blood to the body through the vessels.

Aging and the Heart

• The heart also loses some muscle elasticity as it ages, causing it to become more rigid. The cells of the heart lose some of the ability to use oxygen, creating an increased demand on the heart.

High Blood Pressure

• The American Heart Association says that blood pressure usually increases with age, with high blood pressure occurring most often in those 35 years and older.

Other Risk Factors

• Other factors may contribute to high blood pressure. High alcohol consumption, being obese, suffering from stress and being inactive may all increase the risks of high blood pressure.

Prevention/Solution

• Some ways to prevent high blood pressure as you age are to maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol consumption, be active, eat a healthy diet and take all prescribed medications the way your doctors advises.