Isolated
Systolic Hypertension
Other
variation of High Blood Pressure
Isolated systolic hypertension is said to be one the most common forms
of hypertension in people aging 65 years old and up. This type of
hypertension can rarely be treated.
It occurs when the systolic blood
pressure
rises above 140 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure drops below 90
mmHg. This type of hypertension is a risk factor for heart diseases and
stroke. It can also damage organs such as the eyes, heart, kidneys, and
brain.
There are a lot of factors that are known to cause this illness, which
includes smoking, overweight, high
sugar intake,
old age, and drinking alcoholic beverages. Other factors that can lead
to this problem are unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles.
Treatments generally recommended
Isolated systolic hypertension can be treated using medications such as
diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta-blockers.
Just like in any other forms of hypertension, it is essential to
reduce salt intake. This is due to the fact that salt is sodium and
sodium can cause the blood pressure to rise. It is recommended to
consume one or less
teaspoon of table salt per day. The best way of restricting sodium in
the diet is by eating vegetables and fish instead of fast and canned
foods.
Another method of treating isolated systolic hypertension is by
increasing the physical activity. According to clinical studies,
physical activity such as exercise can help in lowering down the
systolic blood pressure by 5-10 mmHG. A 15 to 30 minute exercise a day
is
proven to beneficial in lowering down blood pressure and in achieving
healthy lungs and heart.
Exercises that are safe for the
elderly are low impact aerobic exercises such as bicycling, swimming,
walking, running in place, stationary cycling, and working out using
fitness equipments such as elliptical trainer. It is always necessary,
however, to check first with a physician before starting any forms of
exercises because each individual has different reaction to exercises.
Dealing with unhealthy habits
People with
this condition should follow a low fat
diet. Those who are overweight or obese should lose
weight.
Vegetables and fresh fruits must be added in the
diet. If you are not
sure about what specific foods to add to your diet, you can ask for
suggestions from your physician or dietitian. It is also necessary to
limit alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Smoking, too, should be avoided
since it contains nicotine which can cause the blood vessels
to
constrict, causing the blood pressure to rise. For those who are under
stress, it is very important to take time to
rest and relax. Anxiety and stress are also known factors of isolated
systolic hypertension.
As people age, it is always necessary to have their blood pressure
checked regularly. If you are one of those people who have high blood
pressure, it is important that you consult your doctor immediately to
avoid suffering from the dreadful complications of this disorder.
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