Market scope notice: This article draws on both Korean and U.S. sources. Each piece of information is marked in the text with 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. to indicate which country it applies to.
Many families know their parents have been taking blood pressure medication for over ten years, yet have little idea of the actual numbers or whether things are truly under control. High blood pressure is called a "silent killer" for good reason: it produces almost no symptoms in the early stages and can lead to serious complications such as cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, and kidney disease. Elderly parents require an especially careful and attentive approach.
🇰🇷 Korea According to the Korean Society of Hypertension's Korea Hypertension Fact Sheet 2024, an estimated 13 million people — roughly 30% of the domestic population aged 20 and older — have high blood pressure, and 5.8 million of them are aged 65 or older. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2024 report (NCHS Data Brief No. 511), approximately 47.7% of American adults have high blood pressure, and among those aged 60 and older the rate exceeds 70%. In both countries, it is clear that prevalence rises sharply with age.
High blood pressure in older adults presents differently than in younger people. As we age, blood vessels lose elasticity and the body's ability to regulate fluids declines, which causes greater "blood pressure variability" — larger swings up and down throughout the day. For this reason, a single reading taken at a clinic is often not enough to accurately assess the true situation. That is why it is so important to develop the habit of measuring and recording blood pressure regularly, morning and evening, at home.
🇰🇷 Korea Data from the Korean Society of Hypertension shows that among adults aged 65 and older, the awareness rate for high blood pressure is approximately 90% and the treatment rate is approximately 87.9% — both higher than in other age groups. However, the control rate stands at 66.5%, meaning more than 3 in 10 people are not achieving adequate blood pressure control even while taking medication. 🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States as well, only about half of people with high blood pressure have it well controlled. In addition to helping parents take their medication without missing doses, it is important to have regular consultations with their healthcare provider to confirm that the type and dosage of medication is appropriate for their condition.
Lifestyle management is just as important as medication. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) National Health Information Portal emphasizes that regular exercise, a low-sodium diet, and quitting smoking and limiting alcohol can have a significant effect even in older adults. However, because the risk of medication side effects is greater in the elderly, any new medication or dosage change must always begin at a low dose and be adjusted gradually. If parents are taking multiple medications at the same time, drug-drug interactions should also be reviewed.
🇺🇸 U.S. The 2017 guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend treatment for community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older when systolic blood pressure reaches 130 mmHg or higher, and set a target blood pressure of less than 130/80 mmHg. 🇰🇷 Korea Korea's KDCA defines high blood pressure as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Because the reference figures can differ somewhat from country to country, please follow the standards set by the treating physician in whichever country your parents are receiving care.
Here are practical steps family caregivers can take. First, make blood pressure measurement a daily routine and keep a record in a notebook or app, noting the date and time of each reading. Second, bring those records to every medical appointment and review them with the doctor. Third, keep an up-to-date list of all medications your parents are currently taking. Fourth, if symptoms that could be related to blood pressure changes appear — such as dizziness, headaches, or heart palpitations — consult a healthcare provider right away.
Sources: KDCA 2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; Korean Society of Hypertension, Korea Hypertension Fact Sheet 2024; KDCA National Health Information Portal, "Hypertension in the Elderly"; U.S. CDC NCHS Data Brief No. 511 (October 2024); American Journal of Hypertension – Trends in Blood Pressure Control among US Adults 2021–2023.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.