What Does Blood Pressure Reading of 159 mmHg Mean? Stage 2 Hypertension Risks

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings of 159

Blood pressure provides a snapshot of the force placed on artery walls as blood flows through the circulatory system. The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to pump to move blood, which can lead to damage over time.

A reading of 159 for your blood pressure may cause concern or uncertainty over what it means and if it’s a serious health issue. Let’s break down what different blood pressure numbers signify and how dangerous a reading of 159 truly is.

The Meaning of 159 Blood Pressure

The standard blood pressure reading consists of two numbers - the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure:

• Systolic - the pressure when the heart beats and pushes blood around the body.
• Diastolic - the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

A reading of 159 refers to 159 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) - the unit used to measure pressure inside blood vessels. This typically represents the systolic or top number in a blood pressure reading.

So if your reading comes back at 159/95, the 159 reflects the peak pressure in arteries each time the heart contracts.

Categorizing High Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure guidelines provide staging to classify hypertension severity into ranges:

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg
• Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80
• Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89
• Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mmHg

A reading of 159/95 indicates Stage 2 Hypertension. With a top number ≥140, it signifies moderately high blood pressure requiring medical treatment.

Risks and Complications of Uncontrolled 159/95 Hypertension

While hypertension rarely has obvious symptoms, it can quietly cause vascular damage, increasing future risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Aneurysms
• Weakened and narrowed blood vessels
• Thickened, less efficient heart muscle

If untreated, the strain of moving blood through narrowed vessels also accelerates hardening of arteries. This further raises pressure and the likelihood of clots blocking flow.

Over years, uncontrolled high blood pressure reshapes heart structure and function in unhealthy ways. But lowering readings to normal levels, even later in life, still reduces risks of future cardiovascular disease.

Impact of 159/95 Blood Pressure On Target Organs

Along with the cardiovascular system, target organ damage frequently occurs in other areas of the body with moderate hypertension.

Kidneys

The kidneys act as filters to remove waste from blood while balancing fluid levels. High pressure damages vessels in the kidney’s filtration system. This reduces their ability to filter blood effectively. Toxins and excess fluid then start accumulating inside the body.

Brain

Elevated blood pressure strains smaller blood vessels in the brain. This can lead to ruptures, leaks and block clots causing tissue damage. It also accelerates cognitive decline later in life.

Eyes

The tiny, delicate blood vessels supplying the retina can be damaged by moderate to severe hypertension. This can impair vision or lead to issues like bleeding, fluid accumulation and optic nerve damage.

Caught early, reducing blood pressure minimizes harm to target organs. But over longer periods, untreated readings of 159/95 mmHg carry substantial risks of irreversible damage.

Treatment Options for 159/95 High Blood Pressure

The primary interventions for 159/95 hypertension aim to lower pressure by:

• Expanding blood volume capacity through medications
• Improving heart function
• Widening narrowed vessels to enhance blood flow

Treatment focuses first on lifestyle changes. But most people with a reading of 159/95 mmHg will require medication to lower risks.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve 159/95 Hypertension

Simple daily measures can help enhance heart health and reduce strain on blood vessels:

• Exercise - Moderate activity for 30-60 minutes helps lower resting blood pressure.
• Healthy diet - Eating more vegetables, fruits and whole grains supports heart health.
• Sodium reduction - Limiting salt and high sodium foods minimizes retention of excess fluid.
• Stress relief - Chronic stress contributes to hypertension via chemical imbalance.
• Weight management - Excess weight strains the cardiovascular system.
• Quit smoking - Smoking damages blood vessels and increases clotting risk.

Medications to Control 159/95 mmHg Readings

If blood pressure remains ≥140/90 mmHg after three months improving lifestyle factors, medication normally gets introduced.

Common drug classes to treat Stage 2 hypertension like 159/95 include:

• ACE inhibitors - relaxes blood vessels to improve flow
• ARBs - blocks damaging effects of angiotensin hormone
• Beta blockers - reduces heart rate and force of contraction
• Calcium channel blockers - prevents calcium buildup in vessels
• Diuretics - flushes out excess sodium and water

Most people require at least two medications from different classes to lower blood pressure. Specific drugs get selected based on medical history, tolerance of side effects and response.

Tracking Progress with Follow-Up Readings

After starting treatment, home monitoring helps assess progress. Self blood pressure checks should occur:

• In morning before medication
• Before bedtime
• Before/after exercise sessions

Based on home readings and symptoms, your doctor can determine if prescription adjustments become necessary.

Through at least bi-annual in-office monitoring and self-tracking, the treatment plan gets tailored to safely guide readings down towards normal.

Long Term Outlook for Uncontrolled 159/95 Hypertension

Unchecked high blood pressure becomes a ticking bomb within the body over 5, 10 or 15 years. It quietly inflicts damage until a problem sparks a health crisis like:

• Heart attack or heart failure
• Stroke
• Aneurysm
• Advanced kidney dysfunction

Without proper treatment, 50% of individuals with neglected stage 2 hypertension won’t survive beyond 10 years. The longer pressure stays high, the higher risks become.

But lowering to 120/80 mmHg, even later in life, curbs damage and greatly improves long-term cardiovascular prognosis - adding years to life expectancy.

So if home monitoring reveals consistent 159/95 mmHg readings, seeking prompt medical advice provides the best odds of stopping hypertension before it claims your health.

Emergency Warning Signs in Unmanaged High Blood Pressure

While treatment progresses, certain symptoms demand urgent medical care, including:

• Severe headache - Potential warning sign of blood vessel rupture or blockage
• Vision issues - Blurry vision, spots or pain could indicate retinal damage or stroke
• Shortness of breath - Fluid accumulation in lungs strains respiratory function
• Confusion - Impaired brain perfusion impacts cognitive function

If these hypertension symptoms emerge, call emergency services or go straight to an ER. Delaying risks permanent impairment or disability.

Summarizing What 159/95 Means for Your Health

Blood pressure of 159/95 mmHg gets classified as stage 2 hypertension. Without medical treatment, risks of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and target organ damage significantly rise over time.

Lowering readings via improved lifestyle habits offers a good starting point. But medication normally gets introduced to adequately control moderate hypertension.

Following the treatment plan under physician guidance provides the best odds of reducing risks and avoiding a health crisis. But any warning signs like vision changes or confusion should prompt urgent medical care.

Overall, a reading of 159/95 indicates elevated cardiovascular risk requiring prompt attention. But addressing the issue early on can help prevent severe complications and extend healthy lifespan.

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.