Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Blood pressure is one of the key vital signs and indicators of your overall health. The numbers from a blood pressure reading can tell you a lot about the condition of your heart and blood vessels. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers - the systolic pressure (the higher number) and the diastolic pressure (the lower number).
A normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80 mmHg. However, different ranges are used to classify and diagnose hypertension based on how high your blood pressure readings are.
Prehypertension
If your blood pressure is consistently ranging between 120-139/80-89 mmHg, you are said to be in the prehypertensive range. This means you don't have high blood pressure yet, but are at increased risk of developing it.
People with prehypertension are twice as likely to progress to full hypertension within 4 years. Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure at this stage can significantly reduce your chances of that happening.
Stage 1 Hypertension
At this stage, your blood pressure is elevated and requires treatment. Stage 1 hypertension is defined as:
- Systolic between 130-139 mmHg
- Diastolic between 80-89 mmHg
or both. If you have stage 1 hypertension, your doctor will likely want to start you on blood pressure lowering medication, in addition to diet and exercise changes.
Stage 2 Hypertension
This indicates more severe elevation of blood pressure at:
- Systolic at least 140 mmHg
- Diastolic at least 90 mmHg
or both. At this stage, you have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. Aggressive treatment is required to bring your blood pressure down.
Hypertensive Crisis
This is an emergency situation defined as:
- Systolic over 180 mmHg
- Diastolic over 120 mmHg
Extremely high blood pressure like this can damage organs like the brain, heart, eyes and kidneys. Seek immediate medical care if your blood pressure is this high.
Diagnosing Hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed based on persistently high blood pressure readings. To confirm a diagnosis:
- Blood pressure needs to be measured on at least 2 separate office visits
- Readings should be taken when you are relaxed and seated
- An average systolic of 130 mmHg or higher, or diastolic 80 mmHg or higher indicates hypertension
Out-of-office monitoring such as home blood pressure monitoring or 24 hour ambulatory monitoring may also be used. Hypertension can't be diagnosed based on a single elevated reading, as blood pressure normally varies throughout the day.
Secondary Causes
In some cases, high blood pressure may be due to an underlying medical condition. This is called secondary hypertension. Common causes include:
- Kidney disorders
- Endocrine problems like thyroid disease or Cushing's syndrome
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications
- Illegal drugs
- Alcohol abuse or excess caffeine
Your doctor will take a full history and perform a physical exam to check for signs of secondary causes. Additional tests like bloodwork, urinalysis or imaging may be needed.
Resistant Hypertension
If blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite taking 3 different medications at optimal doses, it's called resistant hypertension. This occurs in 10-20% of people with high blood pressure.
Resistant hypertension requires evaluation for secondary causes. Treatment may involve adding more medications, trying different drug combinations or procedures like renal denervation.
Complications of Uncontrolled Hypertension
Persistently high blood pressure can silently damage your body for years without obvious symptoms. However, it significantly increases your risk of serious health problems including:
Heart Disease and Heart Failure
High pressure strains the heart and blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis. This can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms and heart failure.
Stroke
Uncontrolled blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke. Hypertension damages blood vessels in the brain, making them more likely to become blocked or rupture.
Kidney Disease
The kidneys filter excess fluid and waste from the blood. High blood pressure overworks the kidneys and impairs their ability to function over time.
Vision Loss
Hypertension can strain delicate blood vessels in the eyes, causing damage leading to retinopathy, vision impairment and blindness.
Sexual Dysfunction
Men with hypertension are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction due to damaged blood vessels and poor blood flow.
Dementia
Studies show an association between mid-life hypertension and increased risk of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life.
Treating High Blood Pressure
The goal of hypertension treatment is to lower your blood pressure to under 130/80 mmHg. This reduces your risk of complications. Treatment typically involves:
Medications
There are many different classes of blood pressure lowering medications like ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics and calcium channel blockers. Your doctor will prescribe the best medications for your situation.
Lifestyle Changes
Important lifestyle measures include:
- Following a healthy diet low in sodium
- Exercising regularly
- Losing weight if overweight
- Limiting alcohol and quitting smoking
- Reducing stress through relaxation techniques
Monitoring
You will need regular office visits and home blood pressure monitoring to track your numbers. Keeping a log of daily readings helps your doctor determine if treatment changes are needed.
Living with Hypertension
Managing hypertension is an ongoing process. Here are some tips for living well:
- Take medications as prescribed and refill them on time
- Don't skip doctor visits - monitoring is essential
- Adopt long-term lifestyle changes to control blood pressure
- Learn to manage stress with healthier coping strategies
- Join a support group to connect with others managing hypertension
While hypertension requires lifelong effort, it can be successfully controlled in most people. Work closely with your healthcare provider and commit to healthy lifestyle habits for the best outcome.
FAQs
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure usually does not cause any symptoms. Some people may experience headaches, dizziness, vision changes, nausea, or shortness of breath, but hypertension is called the "silent killer" since it often has no warning signs.
What foods should you avoid with high blood pressure?
Limit foods high in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Especially avoid processed and packaged foods, fatty meats, full-fat dairy, baked goods, salty snacks, and fast food.
How can you lower blood pressure quickly?
To lower blood pressure quickly, reduce sodium intake, exercise, take prescribed medication as directed, and implement stress-reduction techniques. However, only make significant lifestyle changes under a doctor's supervision.
Is hypertension reversible?
In some cases, hypertension can be reversed with lifestyle changes like losing excess weight, exercising, and following a healthy diet. But often it requires lifelong medication and monitoring. The damage done by prolonged high blood pressure can't be reversed, but progression can be slowed.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment