Pathophysiology: Hypertension on an Elderly Patient, Research Paper Example

It is rather common for individuals aging from 50 and above to experience several onsets of hypertension. However, there are instances when hypertension becomes a common factor in a person’s life that its occurrence is in need of being highly monitored as a means of precautionary measure. Hypertension is often defined as the occurrence of a systolic blood pressure that ranges from 140 mm Hg or higher and a diastolic blood pressure that ranges from 90 mm Hg or higher. Relatively, the emergence of hypertension in a patient may differ from another. This is the reason why in the process of diagnosing the occurrence of hypertension in a patient, it is important to check with the medical history of the individual involved. Some causes may include environmental elements, genetic factors as well as the instance of medicating for a particular ailment that could affect the balance of blood pressure in the patient.

Most often than not, patients with hypertension are asked to take in medications and specifically give attention to precautionary measures especially when it comes to managing their works and activities. Nevertheless, to evaluate whether a patient is hypertensive or not, it is important to accurately measure the patient’s blood pressure first. Repetitive tests might be required to be able to record the instance of a continuing or progressing increase of blood pressure in the patient. This will make a more accurate indication whether the individual being checked is indeed hypertensive or the event was just an onset of another ailment that the patient might be developing. Some of the tests may include CBC count examination, chest radiograph, uric acid measurement and also urine microalbumin testing.
After the diagnosis, it is important to note how the patient could be helped to manage the situation especially in relation to taking precautions in the aim of making sure that the same occurrence would not happen again in the future. Immediate management procedures for emergencies also ought to be suggested accordingly and noted for the patient to take note of in case the same situation occurs again.

Reference

MedScape: Hypertension. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/241381-overview. (Retrieved on October 9, 2013).