The American Academy of Family Physicians says that patients older than 55 tend to experience lowering diastolic pressure and increasing systolic pressure due to aging blood vessels. This condition, called isolated systolic hypertension, is characterized by a systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg and a diastolic pressure less than 90 mmHg, according to MayoClinic.com. Many factors can contribute to the development of high systolic blood pressure in the elderly.
Aging
The American Academy of Family Physicians states that both isolated systolic or diastolic levels are characterized by an aging-related increase in resistance or stiffness in the blood vessels. This stiffness reduces the arteries' ability to handle the output from the heart muscles, thus increasing the required work by the ventricle and the systolic pressure.
Salt and Sodium
Salt is a major player in causing high blood pressure. Though not all bodies react to sodium the same, it should still be considered as a factor. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that an elderly person have 1,500mg of sodium per day, though lower levels may be advised for individuals with certain health conditions. By refraining from salty food and checking food labels for sodium, a person may be able to help lower his high blood pressure to a more manageable level.
Leaky Heart Valve
Leaky heart valves can be a contributing factor in raising systolic pressure in older individuals. Causes of leaky heart valves in the elderly include heart disease, which can result in a weakening due to heart attack or coronary artery disease, according to the Yale School of Medicine. The most common cause of leaky heart valves is a disease known as myxomatous degeneration that causes the mitral valve to lose its elasticity. Calcium deposits building up in the valves may also cause heart disease.
Overactive Thyroid
According to MayoClinic.com, overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, can be an underlying factor in the development of high systolic blood pressure in the elderly. When the thyroid overreacts it creates too much thyroxine or T4, a thyroid hormone. This can cause rapid or irregular heartbeats, with the heart sometimes exceeding 100 beats per minute. In older individuals, the symptoms of an overactive thyroid are usually subtle or nonexistent because high blood pressure medications can mask them, making diagnosis of hyperthyroidism difficult.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: High Blood Pressure: Things You Can Do to Help Lower Yours
- Yale School of Medicine. Heart Valve Disease. Jeffrey R. Bender, M.D.
- Mayo Clinic: Isolated Systolic Hypertension
- Mayo Clinic: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Treating Hypertension in the Elderly
