Home Care in Carmichael CA

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a very common health problem and one that affects about one-third of people who may or may not be aware of it. The best way to ensure your aging parent manages their blood pressure, it is important that it is checked annually during their doctor’s appointments. It is equally as important that your loved one have a family member or home care provider help them make healthy choices for their high blood pressure. Here is some information that will give you and your elderly parent a better understanding of hypertension.

Symptoms

If you notice any of the following symptoms in your elderly parent, have them talk to their doctor as soon as possible.

• Becoming fatigued or confused
• Developing a severe headache
• Problems with eyesight
• Chest pain
• Problems breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Urine contains blood
• The chest is pounding in the neck, ears, and chest

Diagnoses

Discovering that the elder has high blood pressure can be extremely difficult because many of the symptoms  are either misdiagnosed for another health problem or the elder is unable to tell they have this condition at all. There are a couple tests that can be done to test for high blood pressure, such as:

• Diastolic blood pressure: The lowest pressure between heartbeats
• Systolic blood pressure: Maximum pressure during a heartbeat

If the doctor does diagnose your parent with high blood pressure, other tests they may want to run include:

• Echocardiogram: Ultrasound waves are used to provide pictures of the heart valves and chambers pumping.
• Electrocardiogram: Measures the electrical activity, rate, and rhythm of the heartbeat through electrodes that are attached to the legs, arms, and chest.

Treatment

Treating high blood pressure takes a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and medication. Some of these lifestyle choices include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight for those who are overweight or obese
• Quitting smoking
• Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products
• Limiting sodium intake to 1,500 mg for seniors with high blood pressure and 2,300 mg for those with a healthy blood pressure
• Try to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day
• Limit alcohol intake to one drink a day for women and two for men

Those seniors who are living with high blood pressure may be able to get rid of their condition altogether by following these simple steps.

If you or an aging loved one needs home care in Carmichael, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-symptoms-high-blood-pressure

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Jay Bloodsworth

Owner at A Better Living Home Care

I started A Better Living Home Care Agency after seeing the impersonal and inconsistent service of large home care companies and franchises in the Greater Sacramento Area. I know, because I once worked for one. I left to put the “personal” back into home care.

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