Hypertension – Why You Need to Help Your Dad Get His Blood Pressure Down?

By Care at Home | June 22, 2018

High blood pressure increases the risk of developing several alarming health conditions. Current statistics find that approximately 4 out of 5 senior citizens have at least one chronic condition. Almost 7 out of 10 have two chronic conditions.

Chronic diseases include medical issues like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure is linked to many of these. If your dad has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, he needs to take steps to get it lowered to safe levels.

Why is High Blood Pressure a Risk?

-Blood pressure is a two-part reading. The upper number is called the systolic pressure. It’s the pressure on blood vessel walls when your heart pumps blood around your body. Ideally, this number should be in the 90 to 120 range.

-The lower number is the diastolic blood pressure. It’s the pressure of the blood that pumps in between heartbeats. Ideally, this number should be between 60 and 80.

-When blood pressure is too high, it puts a strain on the blood vessels. If your dad doesn’t get his blood pressure to ideal levels, it raises the risk of an aneurysm, decline in cognitive skills, diabetes, eye damage, heart attack, kidney damage, and stroke.

Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

-If your dad is overweight, he needs to lose weight. Just 10 percent of his current body weight will help. If he weighs 250 pounds, dropping 25 pounds is a great start.

-Your dad should watch his diet. He needs to avoid foods that are high in fat, sodium, and sugar. Home-cooked meals using lean meats, plenty of fresh vegetables, and whole grains are important. If he’s craving dessert, fresh fruit is ideal. There are ways to turn a frozen banana and frozen strawberries into a tasty frozen dessert that doesn’t contain added sugar.

-Your dad should get 30 minutes of exercise each day. Get him active by joining him. It will help you both. You can for walks, ride bikes, swim laps, or join a fitness class.

-He may need to go on prescription medications. Talk to his doctor about the common side effects. Find out the best time of day to take the medications. Make sure he follows his doctor’s instructions.

If your dad forgets to take medications, home care services that offer medication reminders will help. He can also have help with his diet and exercise if you hire a caregiver. Learn more about the many ways caregivers can help with hypertension by calling a home care agency.