High blood pressure is one of the “silent killers” because it often has no obvious symptoms but leaves serious consequences if not detected and treated promptly. Especially for the elderly, sudden high blood pressure can lead to complications such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure or damage to important organs such as the kidneys and eyes. Therefore, knowing how to quickly reduce high blood pressure at home is a necessary skill that everyone should know, especially those who live with or care for the elderly.
What is a sudden high blood pressure?
A high blood pressure attack is a condition in which blood pressure increases abnormally, exceeding the safe threshold (above 160/100 mmHg) in a short period of time.
It is often accompanied by the following signs:
- Severe headache, especially in the back of the neck
- Red, hot face
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Feeling nervous, rapid heartbeat
- Anxiety, restlessness
- May be accompanied by numbness in the limbs or visual disturbances
As soon as the above signs appear, the first thing to do is to measure blood pressure to confirm the condition. If it is true that it is high blood pressure, it is necessary to take emergency steps at home to reduce blood pressure promptly.
What measures help lower blood pressure quickly?
Including the following measures:
1. Let the patient sit or lie down immediately
The first thing to do when detecting a hypertensive crisis is to immediately stop all activities and let the patient sit or lie down in a comfortable position:
- Sit with your back against the chair, relax your arms and legs
- Or lie on your side, with your head propped up on a pillow at a moderate height
- Do not let the patient walk, climb stairs or exercise vigorously
Rest helps reduce heart activity and stabilize blood pressure naturally.
2. Help the patient breathe deeply, slowly and evenly
Deep breathing is an effective way to regulate the sympathetic nervous system – a factor contributing to high blood pressure.
How to do it:
- Close your eyes, relax your body
- Inhale deeply through your nose for 4-5 seconds
- Hold your breath for a few seconds
- Exhale gently through your mouth for 6-8 seconds
- Do it continuously for 5-10 minutes
This method not only helps lower blood pressure but also reduces stress and anxiety for the patient.
3. Use blood pressure medication as prescribed
If the patient has a history of high blood pressure and is prescribed blood pressure medication by a doctor, this is the time to take the medication immediately.
Some commonly used drugs to treat high blood pressure:
- Captopril: sublingual, effective after 15–30 minutes
- Nifedipine: taken orally or as directed
- Amlodipine: long-acting oral tablet
Important notes:
- Do not take other people’s drugs
- Do not double the dose
- Do not take medication without a doctor’s prescription
After taking the medication, monitor your blood pressure after 15–30 minutes to see if it is effective.
4. Apply a cool towel to the nape, forehead and wrists
Cool compresses are an effective support measure to help dilate blood vessels, improve blood circulation and reduce pressure.
How to do it:
- Use a clean towel soaked in cool water, wring it dry
- Apply to the forehead, nape and both sides of the wrists
- You can change the towel every 10–15 minutes
Do not use water that is too cold or ice because it can cause the body to go into heat shock, especially in the elderly.
5. Soak your hands and feet in warm water
A fairly effective folk remedy is to soak your hands or feet in warm water at about 40°C:
- Helps dilate peripheral blood vessels
- Makes blood flow to the legs, reducing pressure on the heart and brain
- Improves circulation
Soaking time is about 15–20 minutes. You can add a little sea salt to increase the relaxation effect.
6. Drink a glass of warm filtered water or diluted garlic juice
Warm water helps thin the blood and support circulation. Drinking a small glass of water slowly also helps the patient stabilize their psychology.
In addition, you can use fresh garlic as follows:
- Crush 1–2 cloves of raw garlic
- Mix with warm water to drink
Garlic contains allicin, an active ingredient that can naturally dilate blood vessels. However, do not use it if the patient has digestive problems or is not used to raw garlic.
7. Absolutely avoid stimulants
When in a hypertensive crisis, do not let the patient use:
- Coffee, strong tea
- Carbonated soft drinks
- Salty or spicy foods
- Alcohol, tobacco
These substances can increase blood pressure further and endanger life.
8. Monitor blood pressure every 15–30 minutes
After taking the above measures:
- Measure blood pressure again after 15 minutes
- Record the index, body condition
- Continue to monitor every 30 minutes until blood pressure stabilizes
If after 1 hour the blood pressure still does not decrease, or there are signs such as chest pain, paralysis of the limbs, confusion, slurred speech, etc., call an ambulance immediately.
When should you go to the hospital immediately?
Even if treated at home, the patient should still be taken to a medical facility if the following signs appear:
- Blood pressure does not decrease after 1 hour
- The patient has a severe headache, cannot speak clearly
- Numbness and weakness in the limbs, crooked mouth
- Fainting, coma
In that case, call an ambulance immediately, do not wait or take yourself if the condition is critical.
