Hypertension is one of the biggest killers of men and women over the age of 50. High blood pressure can cause strokes and heart attacks and will definitely shorten the afflicted persons life span. Doctors can prescribe medication and you should definitely heed their sage advice, but pills can only treat the symptoms. To get rid of hypertension you need to know the relationship between high blood pressure and exercise or the lack thereof. Doctors recommend a diet low in salt and saturated fats and regular exercise for those suffering from high blood pressure. Dietary treatments for high blood pressure and exercise routines have proven effective in reducing hypertension and your doctor can recommend a regimen that will help.
How do seniors address the specific area of high blood pressure and exercise routines when they are already hampered by limited mobility, bad arthritis, joint pain, or obesity? These conditions can exacerbate the hypertension and high blood pressure and exercise routines that seniors can readily perform on a regular basis may be the only real solution.
Those over 50 years of age are not always considered senior citizens but that is the age when many of the maladies of advanced years start making themselves felt. High blood pressure afflicts many people of this age and above and it is sometimes because of an accumulation of many years of bad dietary habits and other factors. Stress and especially job related stress can contribute greatly to high blood pressure and exercise, especially regular strenuous exercise can help to bring this condition under control.
Smoking is another common high risk factor for acquiring hypertension. Smokers are at greater risk for many health problems including lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and stroke. Many times several or all of these conditions will afflict a patient at the same time. The accumulation of these conditions can also cause high blood pressure and exercise and dietary restrictions are once again the most prescribed method of controlling them.
Seniors who have severe mobility problems should consult a physical therapist or therapy clinic that can help them to do exercises that are not too difficult for them. They can help the seniors to improve their mobility to the point where they can perform regular exercise on their own. Sometimes in order to even begin an exercise routine the patient has to first lose substantial amounts of weight. Doctors are very careful not to recommend very strenuous exercises for patients who suffer from acute hypertension because the increase in heart rate can cause heart palpitations and stroke.
For advice on high blood pressure and exercise one should of course always consult with their own physician. They are the ones that know best and will tailor a regimen designed especially for the afflicted person.