Hypertension often raises a senior man’s risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and blood clot formation. To prevent these health issues, aging men need to understand common risk factors for hypertension. Here are a few things that may raise an elderly man’s blood pressure levels and what can be done about them.
Visceral Fat
Visceral fat is the fat that accumulates in the abdominal cavity and surrounds the internal organs such as the pancreas, intestines, and liver. In addition to causing hypertension, too much visceral fat may also raise a man’s risk for diabetes. Losing weight reduces the amount of fat stored in a man’s abdominal cavity, which may also lower the risk for hypertension.
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Smoking
As men get older, circulation issues can develop from inactivity and preexisting medical conditions. Smoking can damage the body’s small capillaries, placing a heavier workload on the heart and diminishing its ability to effectively pump blood to the internal organs. If your loved one smokes, suggest quitting or at least cutting down. Talk to your parent’s physician about smoking cessation options such as nicotine replacement patches or gum, oral medications, and hospital-based support groups for smokers.
Many older adults require assistance with letting go of unhealthy habits and making positive lifestyle choices. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care. Lincoln Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Excessive Alcohol Intake
While an occasional drink may not be harmful to a senior man’s health, drinking every day or binge drinking may increase the risk for hypertension and lead to a heart attack or stroke. In addition, alcohol may interact with certain medications to further increase blood pressure levels. If your loved one drinks on a daily basis, talk to him about the health consequences of overdoing it. In the event your parent is unable to limit his alcohol intake, talk to his doctor about different alcohol cessation methods.
Current Medical Conditions
Diabetes, renal disease, liver issues, and certain autoimmune disorders raise the risk of developing hypertension. In addition, the medications your loved one takes to manage the diseases may further increase the risk for high blood pressure. To lower the risk, make sure your loved one visits his doctor on a regular basis for checkups and to evaluate side effects that may be associated with his medications. If prescription drugs are elevating your loved one’s blood pressure, the doctor may lower the dosage or prescribe a different drug that is less likely to raise blood pressure.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Lincoln live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.