Senior Focus
February 2017
5
Diet and weight have effects on blood pressure MEAL TIMES
Senior Services of Snohomish County
pressure, because the risk of HTN increases as we age.
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How is blood pressure measured?
By Leah Hammon Senior Services of Snohomish County
Due to the silent nature of hypertension, routine monitoring of blood pressure through regular medical checkups is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Blood pressure is measured as two different numbers. The first (top) number refers to systolic pressure, which is the amount of pressure exerted when the heart contracts. The second (bottom) number refers to diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure of blood between heart contractions. A normal or safe range for a blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg or less. Alternately, hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressures are consistently elevated above 139/90 mmHg. If you are unable to regulate your blood pressure, your doctor may discuss treatment options with you — including the use of antihypertensive medications. You may
Hypertension, or persistently high blood pressure, is a common medical condition in which blood circulates through the body’s vessels at higher than normal pressures. Over time this abnormal force can cause damage to the vessels and organs, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and eye problems. Unfortunately, high blood pressure often goes ignored, largely due to its “silent” nature. Early signs of hypertension (HTN) typically cannot be seen or felt. However, it is a prevalent health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypertension currently affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to developing high blood
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also seek the consult of a registered dietitian nutritionist who can provide individualized dietary advice to help lower your blood pressure. Although, less common, hypotension is also a concern, especially as we age. When the blood pressure gets too low it can cause dizziness and fainting, causing falls that may lead to other problems if not corrected.
How to prevent or manage blood pressure? Anyone can develop high blood pressure. However, some individuals are at higher risk than others due to unmodifiable risk factors such as age, gender, race and genetics. Fortunately, by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, many people find they can manage their blood pressure and lower the risk of associated complications. Healthy lifestyle habits that can reduce the risk of HTN include regular physical activity, smoking and alcohol cessation, reducing sodium intake, eating a CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce Makes 6 servings 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 small onions, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1¼ cups zucchini, sliced 1 Tbsp oregano, dried 1 Tbsp basil, dried 1 8 oz can tomato sauce 1 6 oz can tomato paste* 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 1 cup water In a medium skillet, heat oil. Sauté onions, garlic, and zucchini in oil for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and simmer covered for 45 minutes. Serve over spaghetti. * To reduce sodium, use a 6-oz can of low-sodium tomato paste. New sodium content for each serving is 253 mg. Serving size: ¾ cup
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