defined arbitrarily as persistent levels of blood pressure in which the systolic pressure is above 140 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is above 90 mm Hg. In the elderly population, hypertension is defined as systolic pressure above 160 mm Hg and diastolic pressure above 90 mm Hg. Hypertension is a major cause of heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. It is called the “silent killer” because the person who has it is often symptom free. Gerontological Considerations: Changes in the peripheral vascular system are responsible for the changes in blood pressure that occur with age. As the age related process of atherosclerosis evolves, the ability of the vessels to distend and recoil is reduced. Consequently, the aorta and large arteries are less able to accommodate the ejected stroke volume, and a decrease in cardiac output and increase in peripheral resistance result. Systolic blood pressure increases as a result of the increased peripheral resistance, and pulse pressure widens subsequent to the diastolic fall that accompanies reduced distensibility of the aorta. The risk factors for high blood pressure that are present in the population in general continue into old age. These are approximately the same for elderly men and women. (Brunner/ Suddarth, 1988)CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common cause of death and disability due to lung disease in the United States. COPD is a broad classification that includes a group of conditions associated with chronic obstruction of air flow entering or leaving the lungs. Airway obstruction is diffuse airway narrowing, causing increased resistance to air bronchiectasis, emphysema, and asthma. Basically, the person with COPD has (1) excessive secretion of mucus within the airways not due to specific causes (bronchitis or bronchiectasis), (2) an increase in the size of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles with loss...
