High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health problem that often occurs in older people. Your body's network of blood vessels, called the vascular system, changes as you age. Arteries become stiffer, causing blood pressure to rise. This can affect even people who have healthy habits and feel well. High blood pressure, sometimes called the "silent killer," often causes no visible or perceptible signs of disease. Although it affects nearly half of adults, many may not even realize they have it.An elderly man undergoing a blood pressure check by a nurse If high blood pressure is not controlled with lifestyle changes and medication, it can lead to serious health problems, including cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, vascular dementia, eye problems and kidney disease. The good news is that blood pressure can be controlled in most people. Blood pressure is the force with which blood pushes against the walls of the arteries when the heart pumps blood. When a health care professional measures blood pressure, he uses a cuff on the arm that gradually tightens. The result of the measurement is given as two numbers. The first number, called systolic pressure, is the pressure caused by the heart contracting and pushing blood out. The second number, called diastolic pressure, is the pressure when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The blood pressure value is given as a quotient of systolic and diastolic pressure. Blood pressure levels are classified based on these two numbers. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is a systolic pressure of less than 90 or a diastolic pressure of less than 60. If you have low blood pressure, you may feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy and even faint. This can be caused by insufficient fluids, blood loss, certain medical conditions or medications, including those prescribed for high blood pressure. Normal blood pressure for most adults is systolic pressure under 120 and diastolic pressure under 80. Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure of less than 80. High blood pressure is defined as 130 or more for the first number, or 80 or more for the second number. In older people, often the first number (systolic) is 130 or higher, but the second number (diastolic) is less than 80. This problem is called isolated systolic hypertension and results from age-related stiffening of the major arteries. It is the most common form of hypertension in the elderly and can lead to serious health problems such as shortness of breath during light physical activity, dizziness when standing too fast and falls. One of the reasons for regular visits to the doctor is to check blood pressure and, if necessary, plan how to control it.

Do I have high blood pressure?

Anyone can have high blood pressure. Some diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, kidney disease and thyroid problems, can cause high blood pressure. Some people are more likely to have it because of things they cannot change. These include: Age. The chance of developing high blood pressure increases with age, especially for isolated systolic hypertension. Gender. Before age 55, men are more likely to develop hypertension. Women are more likely to have high blood pressure after menopause. Family History. High blood pressure tends to run in some families. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but routine blood pressure checks will help detect rising levels. If your blood pressure is high during two or more check-ups, your doctor may ask you to measure it at home. Other health conditions and overall fitness should be considered when deciding whether to start treatment for hypertension if it is higher than 130/80. Your doctor can work with you to find a target blood pressure that is best for your well-being and may suggest exercise, dietary changes and medications.     [cool_tag_cloud on_single_display="local"]