keeping blood pressure within the normal range is key to preventing complications such as heart disease and stroke.
you probably already know that your blood pressure is important and that it can affect your health in many ways.
but what exactly is a healthy blood pressure reading and what do your blood pressure numbers mean?
in this article, we will explain what is normal, elevated, and high blood pressure, and what it means for you and your health.
What do these numbers represent?
when a healthcare professional measures your blood pressure, it is expressed in two numbers, one at the top (systolic blood pressure) and one at the bottom (diastolic blood pressure), just like fractions. for example, 120/80 mm Hg.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of Hg. This is what mm/Hg means. Here's what the numbers mean:
- your systolic blood pressure (the highest number) is the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting or beating.
- your diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) is the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.
both of these numbers are important for determining your heart health.
numbers larger than ideal may indicate that your heart is overworked to pump blood to other parts of the body.
what is normal reading?
for normal readings, your blood pressure needs to show:
- systolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg and below 120 mmHg, as well
- diastolic pressure is between 60 mmHg and less than 80 mmHg
The American Heart Association (AHA) considers blood pressure to be within the normal range when both your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is within these ranges.
if you are within the normal range, no medical intervention is required. however, it is important that maintaining a healthy lifestyle and moderate weight can help prevent the development of high blood pressure.
if your family members have high blood pressure, you may need to be more mindful of your lifestyle.
Normal blood pressure
- Normal blood pressure readings in adults are below 120/80 mm Hg and blood pressure above 90/60 mm Hg.
What is considered high blood pressure?
Blood pressure values above 120/80 mm Hg are a warning sign. This means you need to pay attention to your blood pressure and focus on heart health habits.
although these numbers are not technically considered high blood pressure, you are already out of the normal range. elevated blood pressure may turn into high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Increased blood pressure
- when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 129 mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is below 80 mmHg, this means that your blood pressure is elevated.
medication is not required for an increase in blood pressure. but your doctor may discuss with you the importance of a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and controlling your weight.
What is stage 1 hypertension?
you may be diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension (the medical term for hypertension) if:
- your systolic blood pressure is between 130 and 139 mmHg, or
- your diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89 mm Hg
however, the American heart association notes that if you only have one reading so high, you may not have true stage 1 hypertension. determining a diagnosis of hypertension at any stage is the average of your blood pressure values over time.
your doctor can help you measure and track your blood pressure to see if it's too high.
Stage 1 hypertension
- if your systolic blood pressure is 130 to 139 mmHg or your diastolic blood pressure is 80 to 89 mm hg, it is considered stage 1 hypertension.
if your risk is low, your doctor may want to follow up within 3 to 6 months of your healthier habits.
if you are 65 years of age or older and in good health, your doctor may recommend treatment and lifestyle changes once your systolic blood pressure is greater than 130 mmHg.
adults 65 years of age and older with serious health problems should be treated on a case-by-case basis.
treating high blood pressure in the elderly seems to reduce memory problems and dementia.
What is stage 2 hypertension?
stage 2 hypertension indicates a more severe condition.
you may be diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension if:
- your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, oryour diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg or higher
at this stage, your doctor will recommend one or more medications to control your blood pressure.
however, medications are not the only treatments at this stage. lifestyle habits are just as important in stage 2 hypertension as they are in other stages.
Stage 2 hypertension
- if your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher, it is considered stage 2 hypertension.
What is a hypertensive crisis?
blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg indicate a serious health problem. the American heart association refers to these high measurements as the "hypertension crisis." even if there are no accompanying symptoms, blood pressure in this range requires urgent treatment.
if your blood pressure is within this range, seek emergency medical attention. you may also experience the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- gasp
- visual changes
- symptoms of a stroke, such as a paralysis or loss of control of the muscles of the face and extremities
- there is blood in the urine
- dizzy
- headache
however, sometimes a high reading may appear temporarily, and then your numbers will return to normal. if your blood pressure measurement is at this level, your doctor may take a second reading after a few minutes.
if your second blood pressure reading is also above 180/120 mmHg, you will need immediate treatment.
Hypertensive crisis
- Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mm Hg are considered hypertensive crises and can be dangerous. You need to treat it as soon as possible.
How is high blood pressure treated?
treatment of high blood pressure depends on how high your blood pressure is, as well as your lifestyle and risk factors.
for elevated blood pressure, the goal is to prevent your blood pressure from developing into clinical hypertension. drugs are not required at this stage. your doctor may recommend:
- eat a more balanced diet
- exercise regularly
- if you are overweight or obese, lose weight
for stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes as well as:
- reduce sodium intake
- find healthy ways to manage your stress
- medication if your lifestyle changes do not improve after 1 month of blood pressure
for stage 2 hypertension, in addition to a healthier lifestyle, the typical treatment is pharmacotherapy. your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medications help lower blood pressure:
- ACE INHIBITORS BLOCK SUBSTANCES THAT TIGHTEN BLOOD VESSELS
- α receptor blockers help relax the arteries
- β receptor blockers lower your heart rate and block substances that tighten blood vessels
- calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels and reduce the work of the heart
- diuretics reduce the amount of fluid in the body, including blood vessels
hypertensive crises require immediate treatment. the drug can be taken orally or intravenously (by intravenously).
the most commonly used drugs for hypertensive crises include:
- vasodilators such as hydrazine, nitroglycerin, and nitroprusside
- β-blockers such as Trandate and esmolol (Brevibloc)
if your blood pressure is within the range of a hypertensive crisis and you also have kidney failure, you can prescribe the following medications:
- Calcium channel blockers such as cleviprex and cardene
- A dopamine D1 receptor agonist called fenofolpan (kolopam)
precautions
even if your blood pressure values are healthy, it's important to take precautions to keep your blood pressure within the normal range. this helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease,d other complications of high blood pressure.
as we age, prevention becomes more important. once you are over 50 years old, systolic blood pressure tends to rise, and it is far more important in predicting the risk of coronary heart disease and other diseases.
the following precautions may help reduce or reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure:
- reduce the intake of sodium (salt). if you want to follow a heart-healthy diet, try not to consume more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. if you already have high blood pressure, you may need to limit your sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day. first of all, do not add salt to food. processed foods are also restricted because they usually contain large amounts of sodium.
- exercise regularly. consistency is key to maintaining healthy blood pressure readings. exercising for 20 to 30 minutes a day is better than just exercising for a few hours on weekends.
- maintain a moderate weight. if your weight is already moderate, focus on maintaining your weight. if not, take steps to manage it. even losing 5 to 10 pounds can affect your blood pressure readings.
- reduce your caffeine intake. talk to your doctor to see if caffeine sensitivity affects your blood pressure readings.
- healthily manage stress. exercise, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and even a 10-minute meditation session can help.
- limit alcohol consumption and quit smoking. reduce alcohol consumption, or stop drinking alcohol altogether. quitting or quitting smoking is also important. if it is difficult to quit smoking or limit alcohol consumption, seek support from your doctor.
Complications of hypertension
untreated or poorly managed hypertension can lead to serious and even life-threatening problems. it can damage your blood vessels and organs. the longer your high blood pressure is left untreated, the more damage it can do to your body, affecting your health.
Potential complications of hypertension include:
- heart attack and stroke. persistent high blood pressure can cause your arteries to thicken and harden, increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
- heart failure. when your arteries thicken and harden, your heart needs to work harder to pump blood throughout your body. this can cause your heart muscle to thicken and eventually lead to heart failure.
- aortic aneurysms. an increase in blood pressure can cause blood vessels to weaken and swell in the weakened area, resulting in an aneurysm. if the aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.
- renal failure. high blood pressure can damage the arteries around the kidneys. this can affect your kidneys' ability to filter blood.
- decreased vision. an increase in blood pressure can damage the blood vessels of the eye.
- peripheral arterial disease. hardened arteries make it harder for blood to reach parts of the body that are far from the heart, such as the legs and feet.
- sexual dysfunction. high blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction in men and decreased libido in women.
- vascular dementia. narrowed or hardened arteries can limit blood flow to your brain, increasing your risk of developing a form of dementia called vascular dementia. this type of dementia can also be caused by a stroke.
What should I do if my blood pressure is too low?
Hypotension is called hypotension. In adults, a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or less is generally considered hypotension.
low blood pressure can be dangerous because too low blood pressure cannot provide enough oxygenated blood for your body and heart.
some potential causes of hypotension may include:
- heart problems
- dehydration
- pregnant
- bleeding
- severe infection (sepsis)
- severe allergic reactions (allergic reactions)
- malnutrition
- endocrine problems
- certain medications
hypotension is usually accompanied by dizziness or dizziness. talk to your doctor to find out what is causing your low blood pressure and what you can do to raise it.
Concluion:
keeping blood pressure within the normal range is key to preventing complications such as heart disease and stroke.
a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and medications can help lower blood pressure. if you are overweight or obese, weight loss is also important for lowering blood pressure values.
keep in mind that a single blood pressure reading doesn't necessarily classify your health. over time, the average blood pressure reading is the most accurate.
that's why it's important to have healthcare professionals measure blood pressure at least once a year. if your readings continue to rise, you may need more frequent follow-ups.