Understanding Blood Pressure Readings Like 161/87
Blood pressure measurements, like 161 over 87, can be confusing to interpret. But understanding what those numbers mean is key for keeping tabs on your cardiovascular health.
What Do The Two Numbers In Blood Pressure Readings Mean?
Blood pressure is recorded using two numbers, typically shown as 161/87 or 161 over 87. The top number is your systolic pressure, which measures the force of blood against artery walls when the heart beats. The bottom diastolic number represents arterial pressure between heartbeats when the heart is relaxed.
Breaking Down the 161/87 Blood Pressure Reading
Looking specifically at the reading of 161 over 87:
- 161 mmHg is the systolic pressure - the pressure in arteries when the heart contracts
- 87 mmHg is the diastolic pressure - the pressure in arteries when the heart relaxes between beats
A blood pressure reading this high indicates stage 2 hypertension. Maintaining an elevated BP like 161/87 long-term raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other dangerous health issues.
Is 161 Over 87 Considered High Blood Pressure?
Yes, a reading of 161/87 is considered stage 2 high blood pressure according to American Heart Association guidelines:
- Normal BP: Less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic
- Elevated: 120-129 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139 systolic OR 80-89 diastolic
- Stage 2 Hypertension: 140+ systolic OR 90+ diastolic
At 161 over 87, both your systolic and diastolic numbers are quite high, meeting criteria for stage 2 hypertension.
Health Risks Associated With 161/87 Blood Pressure
Over time, maintaining a blood pressure at 161/87 or higher leads to arterial damage that predisposes you to dangerous health complications like:
Heart attack and heart failure
Constant high force exerted on artery walls causes injury and plaque buildup. This can block blood flow and oxygen to the heart, triggering heart attacks. The heart must overwork to pump against high pressure, resulting in congestive heart failure.
Stroke
Extremely high pressure can rupture blood vessels in the brain, cutting off circulation and oxygen that results in stroke. Even without rupture, untreated high BP thickens and narrows brain blood vessels, limiting flow.
Kidney damage
The tiny blood vessels critical for kidney function are vulnerable to high systemic blood pressure. Over time, the excessive pressure causes kidney arteries to stiffen and weakens the organs filtering abilities.
Vision loss
Uncontrolled high BP strains the small arteries supplying blood flow to the retina. This can lead to edema, bleeding, and blood vessel damage linked to vision impairment and blindness later on.
What Causes High Blood Pressure Of 161/87?
In up to 95% of high BP cases, there is no identifiable cause, called primary or essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension has an underlying medical condition responsible for pressure elevations, like:
- Kidney problems
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Thyroid disease
- Adrenal gland tumors
- Congenital defects in blood vessels
- Certain medications (birth control, decongestants, NSAIDS, steroids)
- Obesity
- High sodium diet
- Low potassium diet
- Excessive alcohol intake
- High stress levels
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
Preventing Blood Pressure Issues Like 161/87
Adopting positive lifestyle changes reduces your odds of ever reaching dangerous hypertension levels near 161/87:
Eat nutritious diet
Focus your diet on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish. Limit sodium, sugar, alcohol, processed foods and meat.
Exercise regularly
Get at least 30 minutes per day of moderate activity like walking, biking, swimming to condition your heart.
Lose extra weight
Carrying excess pounds strains circulation and arteries. Shed pounds if overweight through calorie counting, intermittent fasting techniques.
Limit alcohol
Drinking more than 1-2 servings per day raises blood pressure. Cut back or eliminate liquor, beer and wine.
Dont smoke
Smoking harms arteries and directly spikes BP. Quitting improves cardiovascular health fast.
Reduce stress
Chronic stress overactivates the sympathetic nervous system, constricting blood vessels and inflating BP. Combat stress through sufficient sleep, meditation, therapy, social connection.
Monitoring your blood pressure with home tracking combined with heart healthy lifestyle choices prevents climbing into hypertensive crisis territory of 161/87.
FAQs
Is 161/87 blood pressure emergency?
No, 161/87 readings alone do not signify a hypertensive emergency requiring hospitalization. But it does indicate stage 2 hypertension needing medical treatment to prevent an emergency like stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure.
Can you drive with blood pressure 161/87?
There are no defined legal limits for driving with high blood pressure. But it's wise to avoid driving when experiencing severe hypertension symptoms like blurry vision, intense headache, nausea until levels improve with rest and medication.
How quickly can you lower blood pressure from 161/87?
It often takes consistent lifestyle changes and a combination of BP medications over several weeks/months to see significant lowering from 161/87. But even losing 5-10 lbs and cutting sodium intake should help slightly reduce pressures in a few days.
What are symptoms of 161/87 blood pressure?
Many people with elevated 161/87 BP feel completely normal and have no obvious symptoms. Some eventually experience nosebleeds, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, blood spots in eyes as a result of tiny damaged vessels bursting over time.
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.
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