Warm water immersion to reduce hypertension among elderly

Abstract

Hypertension is a disease of the heart and blood vessels characterized by an increase in blood pressure. This study aims to provide an overview of the application of foot soaks in warm water with a mixture of salt to reduce blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. The research design for this study utilizes a case study method employing a sampling technique known as purposive sampling. The author utilized a descriptive case study approach, which involves systematically observing hypertension patients and collecting factual data. The author selected a sample of elderly patients with hypertension level 1, aged 56 years. We collected the data for this study through observation, interviews, and documentation. This study indicates that warm water foot soak therapy with a mixture of salt can reduce systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in 6 visits for 15–20 minutes for each therapy. The application of warm water foot soaks with a mixture of salt can lower blood pressure because, physiologically, the body's response to heat is to cause dilation of blood vessels, which can reduce muscle tension and increase tissue metabolism.