When you hear the term blood pressure, it just means a doctor is measuring the pressure of blood circulating in the body. When blood pressure is high, the heart is working extra hard to pump blood throughout the body. High or low blood pressure can be a bad thing for seniors, so it is something they should be focusing on. Hiring outside help from 24-hour home care providers can ensure your loved one is staying safe while aging in place, and it means there is an extra person who can help manage blood pressure and even help a senior remember when to take their blood pressure each day.
But what does low blood pressure mean, and how can it impact your loved one? This is not commonly talked about because many people have problems with high blood pressure.
What Low Blood Pressure Means
As you get older, your body naturally goes through various changes, and most of the changes need to be managed by a good team of professionals. Unfortunately, one of the frequent changes seniors experience is a change in blood pressure, whether it’s lower or higher than average. Low blood pressure can be a cause for concern when caring for an elderly person. Low blood pressure is also referred to as hypotension; sometimes doctors are not concerned about blood pressure that is just below average, but on the other hand, too low of blood pressure can mean a senior experiences dizziness, fainting, and falls. When these things start happening due to low blood pressure, it can be dangerous for your loved one to age in place.
What Causes Low Blood Pressure?
Sometimes, there is no other reason than a person just has low blood pressure. Sometimes, a doctor is not concerned about it, and other times, they look for a reason why it is happening.
Here are some common reasons why low blood pressure happens in an elderly individual.
Medication Side Effects- As people age, they may be taking more medications. The more medicine they take, the more side effects they may have, and it can cause blood pressure to become abnormally low. If you think low blood pressure is a side effect of medication, then you should encourage your loved one to bring it up with a doctor. They may be able to prescribe a different type of medication.
Dehydration- If your loved one has been severely dehydrated for too long, it can lead to low blood pressure. 24-hour home care can help encourage a senior to drink more water throughout the day and ensure there are fluids nearby at all times. This can help reduce the risk of abnormally low blood pressure.
Heart Problems- Unfortunately, as a senior gets older, they are more likely to experience negative heart problems. A senior with a weak heart may not be able to pump enough blood, causing low blood pressure. This can be the same for heart failure or heart valve disorders. These are all usually managed by a doctor, and they will want to monitor blood pressure regularly.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in Clovis CA please get in touch with the caring staff at A-Plus In Home Care, Inc. today. Call (559) 224-9442.
A-Plus In Home Care, Inc. is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Fresno, Clovis, Sunnyside, Fowler, Reedley, Selma, Sanger, Madera CA, and surrounding areas.
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