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Can High BP In An Elderly Person Be Beneficial?
Question: I am 86 years old. My blood pressure is in the 150 to 160 over 80 to 85. The doctor insisted I need to take lisinopril or sign a waiver. I have read articles that hi blood pressure for seniors over 85 can be beneficieal re mortality rates are higher for those with bp in the 140 or less range.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that there is still not a consensus in cardiological guidelines, if the systolic blood pressure should be lowered less then 120 or 140mm Hg in older patients.
Anyway, your blood pressure values (150-160) are a little high.
I agree with your doctor on the decision of starting an antihypertensive drug like lisinopril, in order to reduce your blood pressure values up to 140 mmHg.
These values are more than recommended for older patients.
From the other hand, you can try to reduce your blood pressure values even naturally by following the tips below:
- reduce salt and caffeine intake in your diet
- perform a lot of physical activity (walking 4 Km a day is recommended, aerobics)
- try to lose some pounds if you are overweight
- increase food that can lower blood pressure naturally (beetroot, lemon juice, garlik, almonds and cashews, etc.).
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that there is still not a consensus in cardiological guidelines, if the systolic blood pressure should be lowered less then 120 or 140mm Hg in older patients.
Anyway, your blood pressure values (150-160) are a little high.
I agree with your doctor on the decision of starting an antihypertensive drug like lisinopril, in order to reduce your blood pressure values up to 140 mmHg.
These values are more than recommended for older patients.
From the other hand, you can try to reduce your blood pressure values even naturally by following the tips below:
- reduce salt and caffeine intake in your diet
- perform a lot of physical activity (walking 4 Km a day is recommended, aerobics)
- try to lose some pounds if you are overweight
- increase food that can lower blood pressure naturally (beetroot, lemon juice, garlik, almonds and cashews, etc.).
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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