Control blood pressure during hot weather.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can affect people of all ages, but the elderly have a higher incidence. During hot weather, patients need to be wary of complications from hypertension.
Why are older people more prone to hypertension?
In a normal person, blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is defined as a reading above 140/90 mmHg. However, in individuals with normal blood pressure, the peak blood pressure during sleep is about 20 mmHg lower than during work and 10% higher than the peak in the afternoon. Normal blood pressure can also fluctuate over time (lowest blood pressure is between 1-3 AM while sleeping, and highest between 8-10 AM).
Statistics show that approximately 93-95% of people with hypertension have no known cause (referred to as primary hypertension), while only about 5-7% have a known cause (referred to as secondary hypertension). Secondary hypertension is commonly found in patients with kidney disease (renal failure, chronic nephritis, etc.), aortic coarctation, hyperthyroidism, or due to the use of certain medications that have hypertensive side effects.
The authors' research shows that there are many high-risk factors that can lead to hypertension in the elderly, such as diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, obesity, or lipid metabolism disorders (cholesterol, triglycerides), and atherosclerosis. In addition, hypertension can be caused by genetics, sedentary lifestyle, a habit of eating salty foods, or persistent negative psychological effects (stress).
Symptoms of hypertension are often subtle, and many elderly people are unaware they have it because they experience no unusual symptoms. There are also many cases where elderly people only discover they have hypertension after a stroke occurs. Therefore, all elderly people should have regular check-ups to see if they have hypertension. If diagnosed with hypertension, the doctor will order several necessary tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, chest X-ray, fasting blood glucose test, kidney function test, lipid profile test, and urinalysis.
What kind of diet is suitable for people with hypertension?
Daily, avoid salty foods and limit or abstain from alcohol, especially for those with stage II or III hypertension. Instead of meat, eat fish, as fish contains proteins that lower blood pressure. Eat more fish than meat per week. Limit or avoid red meat (buffalo, beef, goat, horse). Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods such as bean sprouts, ripe bananas, beans, taro, corn, and potatoes. To prevent atherosclerosis, increase intake of foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin PP, such as ripe fruits (oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, mangoes) or plenty of vegetables (amaranth, spinach, jute, purslane).
Things to note during training
Regular, gentle exercise is recommended; avoid strenuous or difficult movements. Choose an exercise form that suits your individual strength and condition. There are many forms of exercise for people with hypertension, but generally, follow your doctor's instructions. Each day, you should engage in physical activity for 30-60 minutes, divided into 2-4 sessions. However, avoid exercising or walking in hot weather. Choose a location that is most convenient for you. Avoid walking on busy roads or in dusty, noisy areas. Walking while breathing deeply is also a good form of physical exercise.
Doctor's advice for the elderly with hypertension.
Most importantly for people with hypertension, it's crucial to prevent strokes, especially during the night when waking up to urinate or defecate. In such cases, avoid sitting up immediately, as this can cause a sudden lack of blood flow to the brain. Instead, remain lying in the same position for 3-5 minutes, breathing rhythmically, before sitting up. Doing so is beneficial because the body gradually adapts to the sudden increase in blood flow, preventing the heart and brain from experiencing a sudden lack of blood and oxygen.
People with hypertension should also note that they need to take their blood pressure medication as prescribed by their doctor. They should absolutely not stop taking their medication on their own, change medications, follow advice from others, or use prescriptions intended for other patients. This is because there are many different groups of blood pressure medications, each with a different mechanism of action, and a medication that is suitable for one person may not be suitable for another. It's important to remember that treating hypertension requires a combination of medication, lifestyle, and proper nutrition to achieve the best results.
According to MSc. Dr. Mai Huong - Health & Life - nt
