Hot weather can create more than dehydration. Sweating causes water and sodium loss, while heat-related vasodilation can lower blood pressure. Add alcohol, medications, poor food intake, or excessive plain water and the result may be orthostatic dizziness, hyponatremia, instability, and falls. Learn why older adults are especially vulnerable, which medications increase risk, when electrolyte replacement may matter, and which symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.

What is the ideal blood pressure for living longer and staying healthier as we age? While there is no single perfect number for everyone, decades of research make one point clear: maintaining blood pressure in a normal or near-normal range dramatically reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death. For most adults, the range associated with the greatest longevity is a systolic blood pressure of approximately 120–130 mm Hg and a diastolic press