As age takes its toll on us, older adults begin to experience a growing range of health complications, one of which is high blood pressure or hypertension. This chronic condition is not rare among seniors and can impede one’s lifestyle quality. However, it is possible to learn to manage blood pressure and other complications. You need not make huge drastic changes to your lifestyle either, instead, small and simple changes can slowly add up.
Organize Medications
First and foremost, be sure to keep track of all your medications. Patients suffering from high blood pressure are often prescribed a fair few medicines, and they mustn’t forget to take them! However, as the numbers increase, it can be hard to keep tabs on all of them. This is why it is key to keep a list of all medications, which time of day they have to be taken, before or after meals, how many times a day, etc. Incorporate taking them into the daily routine of your loved ones and soon it will become second nature to consume them. It is also useful to note down other vitamins and supplements as well. This is exceptionally useful for older folks who may suffer from memory loss ailments such as dementia or Alzheimers.
Find a Reliable Blood Pressure Monitor
To properly and effectively manage blood pressure, it is important to know one’s actual blood pressure. Thus, you ought to purchase a reliable blood pressure monitoring device for your loved ones if you have not done so already. Furthermore, having a monitor at home allows you to see how it changes throughout the day, which is useful and valuable information. Do be sure to buy a device that is of high quality so that the data and readings are accurate
Regularly Measure Blood Pressure
In line with the previous pointer, is also important to periodically measure the blood pressure of your loved one. This is because blood pressure changes constantly, sometimes minimally, and sometimes quite drastically, throughout the day. Hence, checking a few times allows you to have a grasp of the true extent of your blood pressure. You can help your loved ones take their readings for a few days, and then find the average. Do take note that you should also aim to take readings at around the same time every day to minimize unwanted discrepancies. Doctors also recommend measuring your loved one’s blood pressure in the morning, before consumption of any medication.
Switch Up Your Lifestyle
Finally, you can manage high blood pressure by making certain lifestyle changes that have been shown to combat hypertension. However, be sure to also consult a medical professional before taking any big or drastic changes. For one, weight loss is a good way to manage blood pressure as it decreases the stress on arteries and improves overall cardiovascular health. Exercise is also a good way to stay healthy and lose weight. Diet is also another aspect to regulate. Consider decreasing salt intake since sodium has been shown to negatively impact blood pressure. If your loved one smokes, try and convince them to quit the habit. Last but not least, they can pick up calming and soothing hobbies to relieve tension and manage stress levels. Such options include meditation or yoga.
Overall, although hypertension is can sometimes be difficult to manage, you need not get overwhelmed. Take slow and steady steps, and be sure to consult a medical professional every step of the way.
