What are the causes of low blood pressure?
Most often in my practice, I encounter this when a patient has an overdose of antihypertensive drugs. Many mistakenly believe that blood pressure of 120 mmHg and below is very good — as they say, "pressure fit for space." Few people think about the fact that for an elderly person, the minimum pressure for normal blood supply to the heart and brain should be 130 mmHg. Therefore, in this situation, it is necessary to review the medications being taken to lower blood pressure and correctly and carefully adjust their dosages. This can only be done after discussion with a geriatrician.
What to do if the pressure is 110–120, but the elderly person is not taking any antihypertensive medications? First of all, it is important to pay attention to the elderly person's diet. It is recommended to eat a variety of foods, not just the ones the person is used to. If the pressure is a bit low, you can moderately increase the amount of salty food. A few more pickles and tomatoes, salty food.
It is also necessary to control fluid intake and prevent dehydration. In the elderly, the sense of thirst becomes blunted. They generally do not like to drink. Relatives should know this and encourage elderly people to drink more. Preferably 1–1.5 liters per day.
Another important aspect is physical activity. Moderate sports or even simple exercises such as morning exercises or walks can help improve blood circulation and normalize blood pressure. However, before starting any activity, it is necessary to consult a geriatrician. It is very important to start and increase the load very gradually.
The most difficult situation is when an elderly person (who is not taking antihypertensive medications) experiences a progressive... day by day... drop in blood pressure. Yesterday 100... Two days later 90... Another two days later 80 mmHg. When pressure is below 70–80, the intestines stop working. Unfortunately, high blood pressure is very easy to lower and almost impossible to raise low blood pressure. As a rule, such a drop in blood pressure indicates that the person's reserves are running out.
Why is low blood pressure dangerous in old and advanced age?
Low blood pressure in elderly people can pose a serious threat and lead to various negative consequences.
Why is low blood pressure, below 120–130 mmHg, dangerous?
First, such a condition can cause dizziness, weakness, and an increased risk of falls, which is especially dangerous for elderly people prone to fractures and other injuries.
In addition, low blood pressure can lead to impaired blood supply to organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys, which can worsen their functioning and contribute to the development of serious diseases.
Another negative consequence of low blood pressure in elderly people is a feeling of fatigue, reduced activity, and deterioration in quality of life. This can lead to a worsening of overall well-being, apathy, and sometimes even depression.
Low blood pressure can also worsen the stability of the psycho-emotional state of elderly people, which in turn can lead to increased problems with sleep, memory, and concentration.
If necessary, a specialist may prescribe treatment aimed at normalizing blood pressure and ensuring the patient's well-being.
Description (English, ≈160 characters):
Blood pressure in the elderly: normal readings, causes of high and low BP, symptoms, dangers, what to do for hypotension and hypertension. Diet, fluids, activity tips.
Keywords (English):
blood pressure in elderly, normal blood pressure elderly, high blood pressure elderly, low blood pressure elderly, hypotension in elderly, hypertension in elderly, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, geriatrician, blood pressure measurement, salt and blood pressure, blood pressure diet, physical activity for elderly, dizziness in elderly, falls in elderly