Hypertension is a very common chronic health condition in the elderly. However, the worrying thing is that when blood pressure increases suddenly and exceeds the safe threshold, the patient may face the risk of death if not treated promptly. In many cases, emergency treatment at home before going to the hospital plays a key role in preventing dangerous complications such as stroke, acute heart failure or brain damage.
What causes a sudden increase in blood pressure?
Before applying intervention, it is important to determine the cause. Some factors that often cause sudden increases in blood pressure in the elderly include:
- Psychological stress, anger or strong emotions
- Forgetting to take blood pressure medication or taking the wrong dose
- Using foods high in salt, stimulants (coffee, strong tea)
- Prolonged insomnia
- Acute pain or accompanying diseases such as kidney failure, thyroid disorders
- Early identification of the cause will help to adjust promptly, avoiding recurrence in the future.
What measures help to lower blood pressure urgently at home?
1. Create a quiet, relaxing environment
When the elderly have high blood pressure, psychological factors play an extremely important role. Creating a quiet, airy and gentle space is the first step in controlling the situation:
- Put the patient in a room with soft lighting, avoid noise
- Turn off the TV, phone and avoid stimulating information
- Talk softly, reassure and create a sense of security for the patient
- A stable mood will help reduce pressure on the cardiovascular system and contribute to lowering blood pressure faster.
2. Use active relaxation breathing exercises
In addition to sitting and resting, relatives should guide the patient to perform relaxation breathing exercises:
- Sit up straight, hands on thighs
- Inhale deeply through the nose for 5 seconds, hold the breath for 2 seconds
- Exhale slowly through the mouth for 6-7 seconds
- Do it continuously 10-15 times
The correct breathing technique helps calm the nervous system, reduce the secretion of stress hormones and regulate blood pressure naturally.
3. Gently massage the neck and shoulder area
Massage is a simple but effective way to help dilate blood vessels, improve blood circulation and support blood pressure reduction:
- Gently massage the neck, back of the neck and shoulders in a circular motion
- Do this with moderate force for 5–10 minutes
- Combine with acupressure at the fengchi (back of the neck) and temple points
Massage not only brings a feeling of relaxation but also reduces headaches and dizziness that are common during high blood pressure.
4. Prepare natural blood pressure lowering drinks
At home, you can take advantage of some natural foods that help reduce blood pressure such as:
- Celery juice: Rich in potassium and antioxidants
- Lemon juice: Helps dilate blood vessels
- Chamomile tea: Helps calm the nerves, gently lowers blood pressure
- Pomegranate juice: Has the effect of reducing systolic blood pressure if used regularly
Note that you should use a sufficient amount, do not drink too much at once, to avoid increasing the load on the kidneys.
5. Continuously monitor blood pressure to avoid subjectivity
Continuously measuring blood pressure is mandatory to evaluate the effectiveness of home remedies:
- Measure every 15–20 minutes
- Record the blood pressure index and measurement time
- If after 1 hour the blood pressure does not decrease or tends to increase, the patient must be taken to a medical facility immediately
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the heart rate, because some people may have arrhythmia when having a hypertensive crisis.
6. Take medication as prescribed if prescribed by a doctor
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe sublingual medication to treat acute hypertension. This is a safe option if:
- The medication has been used before, with no side effects
- Relatives know the correct dosage and usage
- After taking the medication, closely monitor the patient’s condition
- Do not arbitrarily give new medication or increase the daily dose without instructions.
7. Beware of rapid drop in blood pressure
A common mistake is to try to lower blood pressure as quickly as possible, which can lead to acute hypotension, causing the patient to feel dizzy, faint or cause cerebral ischemia.
Therefore, the principle is:
- Lower slowly and stabilize within 1-2 hours
- Do not use methods that are too strong or too hasty
- If the patient shows signs of dizziness or cold hands and feet, the intervention should be stopped and taken to the hospital.
