Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a common condition that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. At Ideal Home Care Services, our experienced nurses and caregivers are dedicated to helping our patients stay healthy and happy. We provide high blood pressure maintenance and medication management for patients in Long Island and help you get the care you need to manage your condition.
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a medical condition in which the force of blood flow against the walls of the arteries is consistently elevated. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. If someone’s blood pressure readings consistently exceed 130/80 mmHg, they may have hypertension.
Sometimes called the “silent killer,” it often has no noticeable symptoms but can result in severe health issues like heart problems, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss. However, with lifestyle changes and blood pressure maintenance medicine, it’s possible to effectively manage this condition.
Unhealthy Diet
Diet is often a common contributor to high blood pressure. Some dietary issues that contribute significantly to hypertension include:
High sodium intake – Too much salt in the diet is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure. Because sodium causes your body to retain water, blood volume increases and can put pressure on the walls of the arteries. Watching your sodium intake, avoiding processed foods, and adhering to a high blood pressure maintenance routine can help you manage or even reverse the condition.
Low potassium levels – A diet low in potassium can exacerbate the effects of high sodium consumption. Eating foods like bananas, which are high in potassium, can help relax blood vessel walls and lessen the effects of sodium in your diet.
Excessive alcohol consumption – Drinking too much alcohol may raise blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to chronic hypertension. Our homemaker services and companion care professionals help to ensure patients eat healthy foods and limit their intake of substances like alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
A Sedentary Lifestyle
Regular exercise strengthens the heart, which makes it more efficient at pumping blood and lessening pressure on the arteries. Inactivity also contributes to weight gain and poor cardiovascular health, which are both associated with hypertension. Our companion caregivers provide assistance with safe, low-impact exercise, which can enhance overall health and help bring blood pressure down to normal levels.
Being Overweight
Carrying excess weight places additional strain on the heart, as it must work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Obesity is also associated with other conditions that contribute to hypertension, such as insulin resistance and increased levels of inflammation.
Diabetes
Hypertension and diabetes are closely linked. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels, which reduces their flexibility and increases pressure. Diabetes also promotes atherosclerosis and inflammation, which can both elevate blood pressure.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Nicotine causes blood vessels to narrow and makes the heart beat faster, which can result in high blood pressure. Smoking also damages the walls of the blood vessels, leading to plaque buildup and inflammation, which contributes to chronic hypertension.
Genetics
Genetics also have an impact on whether someone suffers from high blood pressure. If your parents, grandparents, or other close family members have hypertension, your risk of developing it may be significantly higher.
Aging
As we age, our arteries naturally become more inflexible, which increases resistance to blood flow. This, combined with exposure to other risk factors like excessive stress or a high-sodium diet, makes hypertension more common among older adults.
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is both a cause and a consequence of high blood pressure, which can create a harmful cycle. The kidneys regulate fluid and sodium balance in the body. Kidney disease can result in water retention, which may increase blood pressure.
Some other health issues that can cause high blood pressure include stress, hormonal imbalances, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, stress, and side effects of medications. Proper high blood pressure maintenance and medication management can help control it and keep it at normal levels.
How Skilled Home Care Services Can Help You Manage High Blood Pressure
Many causes of high blood pressure are preventable or manageable with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. Our skilled nursing professionals and caregivers can help you or a loved one manage hypertension and other conditions with regular home monitoring of blood pressure and proper medication management. We’re dedicated to helping patients take proactive steps toward managing and preventing high blood pressure so they can live long, healthy lives.
Learn More about High Blood Pressure Maintenance and Other Personal Care Services We Offer
Living with high blood pressure can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Ideal Home Care Services, we can help you with high blood pressure maintenance, medication management, and more. To find out how our skilled nursing and personal care services can enhance your overall health and well-being, contact us or call 631-509-5600 today.