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What Does it Mean if Your Senior Has Prehypertension?

Senior Care in Cranford NJ: Prehypertension
Senior Care in Cranford NJ: Prehypertension

If your aging family member’s doctor mentions to her that she has prehypertension that can sound a little worse than it really is. Hypertension is high blood pressure and prehypertension is a state in which her blood pressure isn’t high just yet, but it could get much higher if left unchecked. Understanding exactly what this means for your senior can be a little subjective.

Senior Care in Cranford NJ: Prehypertension
Senior Care in Cranford NJ: Prehypertension

Prehypertension Can Mean a Higher Risk of Hypertension Later.

Prehypertension means that your elderly family member’s blood pressure can eventually get to levels that are too high. Usually this means that there are issues with your senior’s circulatory system that she can still reverse. If she doesn’t, then she might find herself dealing with high blood pressure later on. Being stressed can cause your elderly family member’s blood pressure to be slightly elevated, especially in her doctor’s office. Her doctor might want to test her blood pressure more often just to make sure these are accurate readings.

The Results Are Only a Little Bit Higher Than Normal.

The confusing thing about hearing that your aging family member has prehypertension is that these readings are only a little bit higher than normal blood pressure readings. Even if she experiences higher blood pressure readings only a few times, this can still be deemed prehypertension. Your senior’s doctor may take other factors into consideration before confirming that she has prehypertension.

Small Changes Can Turn it Around.

The really good news about prehypertension is that your elderly family member can still turn it around. Sometimes small changes are all she needs to make. Adding a little bit of exercise to her daily routine, changing her diet in small ways, and paying attention to stress relief can all help your senior to manage prehypertension.

Your Senior May Need Some Help Making These Changes.

Some of the changes that your elderly family member might need to make, like quitting smoking, can be a little more complicated for her. She might need some help from you and from her doctor to make lasting progress on those adjustments. Slow and steady progress can really pay off for her, though, especially if she’s able to lower her blood pressure again.

Your senior’s doctor will want to keep an eye on her blood pressure levels regularly. This can mean testing at home and keeping track of those results. Senior care providers can help to remind your elderly family member to take those readings and can help her make sure that she’s getting accurate results.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring senior care in Cranford, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.

Robert D'Arienzo

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