Blood pressure is one of the important physiological indicators reflecting cardiovascular health and the overall condition of the body. Especially in the elderly, maintaining stable blood pressure plays a key role in preventing dangerous complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney failure and other cardiovascular diseases. As age increases, the cardiovascular system gradually ages, blood vessel walls lose elasticity and become stiffer, easily leading to high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood flow on the artery walls during the heart’s contraction and rest.
The two main indicators include:
- Systolic blood pressure (top number): pressure when the heart contracts.
- Diastolic blood pressure (bottom number): pressure when the heart rests between beats.
In young people, the vascular wall is elastic, so blood pressure is easy to maintain at a stable level. However, over time, the vascular wall begins to harden and become less elastic, causing blood pressure to tend to increase, especially systolic blood pressure.
This is why high blood pressure in the elderly is often a natural manifestation of the aging process, but if not properly controlled, it will become a potential health hazard. Therefore, the elderly need a comprehensive strategy to control blood pressure, maintain health and improve quality of life
What are the dangers of high blood pressure in the elderly?
High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because in many cases, it does not cause obvious symptoms until complications occur.
In older adults, high blood pressure is the leading cause of a series of health problems such as:
- Increased risk of stroke and heart attack: High blood pressure damages blood vessels, forming atherosclerotic plaques, thereby narrowing or blocking blood vessels in the brain and heart. Stroke and heart attack are direct consequences, often occurring suddenly and leaving serious sequelae, even death.
- Heart failure and enlarged heart: When blood pressure is always high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, the heart muscle thickens (left ventricular hypertrophy), reducing the efficiency of pumping blood and leading to heart failure. Older adults with heart failure often feel tired, have difficulty breathing, have reduced mobility and are at high risk of hospitalization.
- Kidney and eye damage: Prolonged high blood pressure damages the microvasculature in the kidneys, causing reduced blood filtering function and leading to kidney failure. Similarly, high blood pressure also damages the blood vessels in the eyes, causing blurred vision and loss of vision if left untreated.
- Reduced memory and dementia: Unstable blood flow to the brain affects central nervous system function, causing cognitive decline, loss of concentration, forgetfulness and increasing the risk of dementia in the elderly.
What are the benefits of stable blood pressure for the elderly?
Maintaining stable blood pressure helps bring many practical benefits to the elderly as follows:
- Prevent serious complications: When blood pressure is stable, the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney damage and dementia is significantly reduced. This helps the elderly maintain alertness, mobility and self-care.
- Reduced need for medication and medical intervention: People with stable blood pressure often need less medication, avoid side effects of medication and reduce the financial burden and time for treatment.
- Improve sleep quality and mental health: Stable blood pressure helps blood circulation better, sleep deeper and feel more comfortable. Insomnia, anxiety or depression in the elderly are also improved.
- Prolong life and increase healthy aging: People who control their blood pressure well often live longer and have a better quality of life. They are less dependent on others and enjoy meaningful old age years.
Stable blood pressure is one of the key factors that help the elderly have a healthy, safe and long life. It is not just a number on the meter but a comprehensive reflection of the lifestyle, nutrition, physical and mental health of the elderly. Stable blood pressure helps reduce the risk of dangerous diseases, maintain a clear mind, be physically active and prolong life. To achieve that, close coordination between the elderly individual, family and the health care system is needed.
