Blood pressure naturally rises from childhood into middle age, but what happens to it in later years has been less clear.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have discovered an important pattern: in older adults, blood pressure begins to decline gradually about 14 years before they pass away. This finding provides valuable insights into aging and health in later life.
For years, scientists noticed that blood pressure sometimes dropped in older adults, but many assumed this was due to treatments for high blood pressure.
To investigate further, researchers examined the medical records of 46,634 people in Britain who had died at age 60 or older. These records included both healthy individuals and those with conditions like heart disease or dementia.
The study revealed that the sharpest blood pressure declines occurred in people with conditions such as dementia, heart failure, and significant weight loss late in life. Even those who had high blood pressure earlier in life showed this pattern.
However, what surprised researchers was that healthy individuals without these illnesses also experienced a long-term decrease in blood pressure as they aged.
This discovery suggests that the decline in blood pressure isn’t solely due to illnesses or early death in those with high blood pressure. It seems to be a more general trend that happens to a wide range of people, regardless of their health status.
These findings are important for doctors treating older patients. Understanding this natural decline can help them make better decisions about managing blood pressure in elderly individuals.
However, this doesn’t mean older adults should stop treating high blood pressure or discontinue their medication. The researchers emphasize that more studies are needed to fully understand why blood pressure decreases in later years and what it means for individual health.
For now, the message for patients and doctors is to monitor blood pressure carefully and consider each person’s unique health circumstances. A falling blood pressure in an elderly person may not always be a reason for concern, but it should be assessed thoughtfully in the context of their overall health.
If you’re curious about blood pressure and how to manage it, there is ongoing research into what causes high blood pressure and how accurate common measurement methods are.
Some studies suggest that drinking black tea can significantly lower blood pressure, but certain medications for high blood pressure might increase the risk of heart failure. These findings highlight the complexity of managing blood pressure and the importance of personalized care.
This study, led by Professor George Kuchel, was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine. It opens the door to new ways of understanding aging and health, paving the way for better care for older adults.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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