Reasons for High Blood Pressure in the Elderly

Over 75 percent of people 80 years old or older have high blood pressure, and high blood pressure in the elderly is caused by a variety of factors. Because high blood pressure is a major cause of heart attack and stroke, it is important that all elderly people work with the doctor to monitor and maintain their blood pressure.

Lack of Drug Therapy

It is estimated that only 24 percent of elderly men, and only 38 percent of elderly women were prescribed diuretics to maintain their blood pressure, despite the fact that the current medical studies show diuretics are the most effective drug used to treat high blood pressure in elderly patients. While diuretics are inexpensive and believed to be highly effective, doctors often prescribe more expensive drugs that have not proven to be more effective than diuretics.
Many drugs are effective in treating high blood pressure:
Diuretics: Diuretics, or water pills, work by flushing water through the kidneys and out of the body, thus reducing the amount of water in the body and lowering blood pressure.
Beta Blockers: Beta blockers slow the heart down, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: ACE inhibitors cause the blood vessels to relax which lowers blood pressure.
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs): CCB's keep calcium from entering the heart, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Alpha Blockers: Alpha blockers allow blood to pass more freely, which decreases blood pressure.
Alpha-beta blockers: Alpha-beta blockers work the same way as alpha blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down.
It is best to consult with your doctor to ensure that you are on the best medication for your specific condition.

Age

Unfortunately, as you age, your arteries harden, which increases your blood pressure. While this cannot be prevented, you can make the lifestyle changes that will minimize the effect that age has on your blood pressure.

Obesity

Obese people are at least twice as likely to develop high blood pressure. Eating a sensible diet is the most important thing you can do to prevent high blood pressure, and to lower it once it is high.
Not only is body weight important, but it is also relevant where your body carries the extra weight. People that carry extra weight around their stomach are more likely to develop high blood pressure as a result of their obesity than people that gain weight around their hips and thighs.

Sodium

Reducing sodium reduces blood pressure. Most people consume 10 to 15 times more sodium than they need in a balanced diet. Many processed foods are extremely high in sodium. Eating more natural foods, such as fruits, grains and vegetables, will help to reduce your sodium intake and in turn reduce your blood pressure.

Alcohol

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase blood pressure. It is important to limit alcohol intake to no more than one to two drinks per day, in order to decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Sedentary Lifestyle

As you age, you tend to become less active. However, inactivity is a leading cause of high blood pressure, so it is important to keep moving as you age. However, it is important to limit your exercise to activities that are appropriate and safe for you to engage in, and you should contact your doctor before beginning any new physical exercise.

Erratic Medical Care

Finally, it is important to go for regular exams. People that do not receive regular medical care are more likely to have high blood pressure. It is important to insure that your blood pressure and all other aspects of your health are closely monitored by your doctor, so that any changes can be addressed quickly before they develop into major problems.