| More than 60% of older persons in the United | | | | easily treated with inexpensive medications that |
| States suffer from hypertension, commonly | | | | have very few side effects and significantly |
| known as high blood pressure. Hypertension is | | | | decrease the risks of heart attack and stroke. |
| defined as an increase in blood pressure above | | | | Both types of hypertension are not only treatable |
| normal. | | | | but they are also preventable without medication. |
| Blood pressure is measured as systolic pressure | | | | In some cases this may require a major change |
| over diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure occurs | | | | in lifestyle but the rewards are well worth it. |
| when blood is pumped into the arteries as the | | | | Aerobic exercise is recommended to reduce blood |
| heart contracts. Diastolic pressure occurs when | | | | pressure. Even as little as twenty minutes a day |
| the heart rests between contractions. | | | | is beneficial. You don't have to do push-ups, knee |
| Although the ideal blood pressure is 109/67, | | | | bends or the kinds of exercises your physical |
| anything below 140/90 is considered normal. If | | | | education teacher required of you in school. You |
| your blood pressure is higher than 160/90, you | | | | can benefit just as well from any fun aerobic |
| need medical help. These figures refer to | | | | activity such as walking, cycling, running or |
| consistent measures over a given time period as | | | | swimming. |
| blood pressure does fluctuate depending on | | | | Proper nutrition is also necessary. One should curb |
| conditions such as stress. | | | | salt intake and follow a low fat diet. Consume high |
| There are two types of hypertension. The first is | | | | fiber foods such as whole grains, and the |
| called Isolated Systolic Hypertension or ISH. This is | | | | recommended five servings of fruits and |
| a systolic pressure greater than 160 over a | | | | vegetables. Limit high fat choices such as ice |
| diastolic pressure of 90. This type of hypertension | | | | cream and opt for lean meats. |
| increases with age and almost 25% of all older | | | | Diabetics, especially, need to exert extra effort to |
| Americans have this problem. | | | | control their hypertension. The risk for heart |
| ISH is a known risk factor for heart disease and | | | | attack is higher for diabetics than for those who |
| stroke. Previously, ISH was looked upon as a | | | | are not diabetic. |
| symptom of natural aging. Today we know that | | | | The most important strategy that people can use |
| this is no longer true. | | | | to prevent or to reduce hypertension is to resign |
| The second type of hypertension reflects | | | | from the couch potato club. Many studies have |
| increases in both the systolic and diastolic | | | | proven that regular physical exercise not only |
| measurements. Both types of hypertension are | | | | prevents hypertension but also reduces |
| risk factors for heart disease and heart failure. | | | | hypertension in people who already have it. |
| However, both types of hypertension are | | | | Contrary to popular thinking in years past, |
| treatable. They are not an inevitable companion of | | | | hypertension is not a necessary by-product of |
| old age as was once believed. Many studies have | | | | aging. With aggressive management, hypertension |
| been conducted to substantiate this fact. One | | | | is treatable and avoidable. While many medications |
| major study, Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly | | | | are available, hypertension can often be |
| Program, reported in the Journal of the American | | | | successfully managed by a combination of |
| Medical Association, demonstrated that ISH is | | | | exercise and proper diet. |