Figure 1 shows the classification of blood pressure and treatment plans for adults. Exercise, diet, and medications should be employed aggressively to control and maintain hypertension
in older adults. Effective management may prevent disability, cognitive decline, and mortality in older adults.
Figure 1: Classification of Blood Pressure for Older Adults
To view Algorithm A: Screening and Diagnosis, please visit http://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/htn Note. From U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2014). VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in the primary care setting. Retrieved from http://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/htn OSTEOPOROSIS Osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions in this country.
● Those who have had a broken bone in the past. ● Those who have had ovaries removed before their periods stopped or who have had early menopause. ● Women with a small frame (weigh less than 127 lb). ● Those who have had extended periods of bed rest. ● People with a history of anorexia. ● Female athletes who develop menstrual problems due to low weight. ● People who consume alcohol or use tobacco products. ● People who do not consume adequate amounts of calcium. ● People who get little or no weight-bearing exercise. ● Those taking certain medications, including steroids, excessive thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants, heparin, and antacids containing aluminum. ● Those of advanced age (older than age 65). ● Women with abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea). ● Men who have low testosterone levels. (NIH, 2015)
It is estimated that 10.2 million people have osteoporosis (National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2014). Approximately 80% of these people are women older than 50. Forty-three million people have low bone density, placing them at risk for osteoporosis (Dempster, 2011). Osteoporosis is another one of the “silent diseases,” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a fracture, most commonly of the hip, backbone, or wrist. Traditionally, it has been considered a disease of older adult White women – one in three adult women over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her remaining lifetime. However, one in five men will also have a fracture (International Osteoporosis Foundation, n.d.). Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Those at risk include: ● White and Asian women. ● Those with a family history of osteoporosis.
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Book Code: PTNY3622B
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