We have all had a blood pressure test at some point in our lives. It is a standardised procedure routinely undertaken at check-ups to measure the force of blood pushing against vessel walls and can tell a clinician a lot about the health and wellbeing of an individual.
Our blood pressure can often change. Sometimes it can slow right down and cause hypotension, and other times it can increase to the point of hypertension – both of these conditions are cause for concern and require treatment.
But is high blood pressure inevitable in older age? And if so, is there any point in doing something about it?
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is potentially dangerous, especially when it is prolonged, because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood around the body. Doing this can cause arteries to harden, or trigger a stroke, kidney disease or even failure of the heart. Given that cardiovascular disease is one of the more prevalent causes of death worldwide, heart health should remain a priority and high blood pressure can be the first warning sign that all is not well. A high blood pressure reading is anything over 130-139/80-89. If your blood pressure reaches 180/higher than 120, you are in hypertension crisis and should seek immediate medical attention.
Causes of high blood pressure vary, but you’re more likely to suffer with this condition if you are a smoker, stressed, lacking in physical activity, or have a family history of high blood pressure.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Not everyone with high blood pressure knows they have the condition, and often it can come as a surprise during a routine doctor’s check-up. In fact, there are so few symptoms of high blood pressure that it can be impossible to predict whether you have it or not. Some believe that nose bleeds and dizziness can be a symptom of hypertension, but this is inconclusive and won’t apply to everybody with the condition. Therefore, it is crucial you regularly check your blood pressure either at routine check-ups or at home using a self-monitor.
Is high blood pressure inevitable in older age?
Older age IS a risk factor for developing high blood pressure. In fact, up to 80% of people over 65 have measurable high blood pressure. One theory as to why this happens is that, with natural aging, the arteries harden and cause abnormally high systolic blood pressure (the first / top number in the blood pressure reading) with normal diastolic blood pressure (the second / bottom number). Another theory is that it is a natural side effect of a deteriorating heart. Sometimes high blood pressure can also be a secondary illness to another condition experienced by the older person, or even a side effect from medications to treat something else. Whatever the cause (and there can be more than one), anyone over the age of 65 is advised to regularly check their blood pressure to deter the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney problems.
What can you do if you have high blood pressure?
If you have discovered you have high blood pressure and want to take proactive steps towards better health, Bond Radiology can help. An echocardiogram will help detect numerous heart problems and might give you a better understanding of why you are experiencing high blood pressure. You can also be checked for carotid artery disease and peripheral arterial disease. To discuss the best tests and procedures for you, contact us on (03) 9132 5073.
Whatever you do, don’t ignore high blood pressure or assume it’ll go away on its own, especially if you are over the age of 65. Prolonged high blood pressure can cause serious health issues, many of which can have long-term negative impacts on your quality of life or even put your life at risk. Instead, take proactive steps to manage high blood pressure such as keeping up good exercise, eating low-in-salt foods and quitting smoking. You can also read our guide to good heart health to discover more about taking care of your body and staying fit and active no matter your age or ability.