February 13, 2019

Celebrate This Valentine's Day With a Healthy Heart

Blood Pressure Management for Howard County Seniors

Medication and a healthy lifestyle including good food choices can help Howard County Seniors

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects 1 in 3 American adults and three of every four seniors age 75 and older
Recently, researchers have concentrated on the results of intensive treatment of high blood pressure in seniors.  If you have high blood pressure, you’ll have to control it for life. Other than medications, healthy lifestyle habits such as healthy eating, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and managing and coping with stress can help. To keep changes from becoming overwhelming, try making one at a time and move to the next when you’ve achieved one goal.
 
“To practice healthy eating, try following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating diet. That plan, based on two major studies, reduces blood pressure when you follow a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. It includes whole grain products, fish, poultry, and nuts.
 
Staying as physically active as possible also is heart healthy. Regular physical activity can lower your blood pressure and the risk of other diseases. Check out Go4Life by the National Institute on Aging to find age appropriate exercises that will keep you on the move.
 
Blood pressure rises as weight increases so try to lose weight. A weight loss of just three to five percent can reduce your risk of health problems. A useful way to gauge your body weight is knowing your body mass index.
 
There are many blood pressure medicines on the market, and it may take a while for you and your doctor to find one that is exactly right for you. They include diuretics, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, alpha beta blockers, central acting agents, and vasodilators.”
 
If treated appropriately, elderly individuals with hypertension will have a greater absolute reduction in cardiovascular events (such as major coronary events, stroke, CHF, renal insufficiency), and a greater reduction in dementia than younger persons,” as cited by our source Wilbert S. Aronow, MD at yourcareeverywhere.com.
 

To read more please Click Here

https://www.yourcareeverywhere.com/content/medhost/your-care-everywhere/life-stages/senior-care/blood-pressure-management-for-seniors.html



BrightStar Care recommends knowing your blood pressure and provides special services to help guide your aging loved one into the future.
 
BrightStar Care of Howard County provides a full continuum of home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.  
 
To learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals and home health care support for Howard County families and businesses - CLICK HERE