Blood pressure problems are common in old age with hypertension or high blood pressure being the more common of the two. Hypotension, or low blood pressure tends to occur in females more than makes whilst hypertension is more prevalent in males. Whilst low blood pressure can be a serious problem long term, high blood pressure causes more damage in a much faster time frame.
High blood pressure can lead to major problems including stroke, heart problems, arteriosclerosis (a hardening of the arteries), hypertensive nephropathy (serious kidney disease), hypertensive retinopathy (a swelling of the optic nerve and retina), and hypertensive encephalopathy (brain damage including loss of short term memory).
The biggest problem facing most elderly people is that hypertension is asymptomatic - in other words, it has no symptoms. If you do not have regular medical checkups, it will go undetected, often for years. In these situations, high blood pressure is only picked up when a person presents at the doctor or hospital with kidney or heart disease or after suffering a stroke.
The treatment for high blood pressure takes both a medical and physical approach. The medical approach involves the use of blood pressure medications that are designed to help reduce blood pressure. The physical approach involves diet, exercise and reduction of blood pressure causing factors such as alcohol, tobacco and stress. Exercise need only be a brisk 20 minute walk each day - so long as it is brisk. Diet centers on the reduction of salt and cholesterol.
Low pressure is a different problem altogether. Low blood pressure generally leads to dizzy or light headed episodes. This is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. Low blood pressure in itself is not necessarily a problem. However, dizzy or fainting spells in elderly patients can lead to falls resulting in serious injury including broken bones and head trauma.
One of the leading causes of low blood pressure is dehydration. Keeping a constant flow of fluids, particularly in summer is vitally important in people of all ages. Other causes include internal bleeding either through injury or problems such as bleeding ulcers. Internal bleeding generally requires surgical intervention.
Blood pressure problems in the elderly should be of great concern particularly high blood pressure. This is a condition that has no symptoms yet the long term problems can be dramatic - fatal even. Strokes, kidney failure, lost sight and memory loss are all live changing events and these changes are rarely for the better.
Regular medical checks will identify any issues related to blood pressure. Once identified, steps can be taken to control the condition before it becomes a major problem.