Understanding 162 Over 106 Blood Pressure
Blood pressure readings have two numbers, systolic and diastolic, that measure the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and rests. The top number, the systolic pressure, represents the pressure as the heart contracts. The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, is the pressure when the heart is relaxed between beats. A reading of 162 over 106 indicates a systolic pressure of 162 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 106 mmHg.
Classifying Hypertension Severity
Blood pressure guidelines provide classifications that help determine the severity of high blood pressure, also called hypertension. This condition increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health issues when left uncontrolled over time.
A reading of 162/106 indicates stage 2 hypertension. Stage 1 is a systolic pressure between 130-139 or a diastolic pressure between 80-89 mmHg. Stage 2 is a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. A blood pressure reaching 180/120 mmHg or above is considered a hypertensive crisis that requires immediate medical attention to prevent organ damage.
Impacts on Your Health
Unmanaged high blood pressure can negatively affect multiple body systems over months and years. It forces the heart to work harder, causing thickening and damage. It can cause tearing of blood vessels leading to internal bleeding, aneurysms, and narrowed or blocked arteries.
Organs receiving reduced blood flow like the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes can be permanently damaged over time, sometimes leading to complete failure. The risk of blood clots leading to heart attack and stroke also increases significantly.
Diagnosing the Cause of High Blood Pressure
Doctors classify hypertension as either primary or secondary. Primary means there is no identifiable cause, while secondary indicates an underlying medical condition is responsible.
Determining if hypertension is primary or secondary involves evaluating personal risk factors and medical history through extensive testing. Things assessed include blood and urine tests, imaging scans of the kidneys, heart, and blood vessels, and ruling out other conditions like sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, congenital heart defects, and more.
When There is an Underlying Cause
Identifying and resolving secondary causes of high blood pressure can help improve control and reduce medications required. Common secondary causes include:
- Kidney disorders damaging function like kidney artery stenosis, polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, and more
- Endocrine system disorders like hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and growths on the adrenal glands
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Congenital heart defects present from birth
- Illegal drug use like cocaine and amphetamines
- Certain prescription drugs and OTC decongestants, NSAIDs, birth control, steroids, antidepressants, and more
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Pregnancy complications like preeclampsia
Treatment varies based on the specific secondary cause but can include surgeries, CPAP machines for sleep apnea, drug therapy changes, or lifestyle modifications.
Essential vs. Resistant Hypertension
When no underlying cause can be identified, it is called essential or primary hypertension. This type accounts for about 95% of high blood pressure diagnoses.
Resistant hypertension is when blood pressure remains above the goal despite using three or more medications concurrently at optimal doses. This signals an underlying condition may be missed and warrants further investigation into secondary causes again.
Lifestyle Changes and Medications for Treatment
An initial stage 2 hypertension diagnosis like 162/106 typically involves starting medication while simultaneously making lifestyle changes. This dual treatment approach enhances blood pressure reduction.
Key Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle changes with the most impact include:
- Following the DASH diet - Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and low-fat dairy. It discourages red meat, salt, sugar, and fats.
- Reducing sodium - Limit to 1500 mg per day to reduce fluid retention and blood pressure.
- Increasing physical activity - Get 2 1/2 to 5 hours per week of moderate exercise like brisk walking.
- Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight - Losing as little as 10 lbs can improve blood pressure.
- Limiting alcohol - No more than 1 drink per day for women, 2 for men.
- Quitting smoking and vaping - Adds plaque to artery walls, increasing pressure.
- Cutting caffeine - Constricts blood vessels, raising pressure.
- Reducing stress - Stress hormones constrict arteries and tax the heart.
Making lifestyle changes can allow some to reduce blood pressure medication dosages over time. However, most require continued medication long-term.
Medications for Treatment
Doctors typically prescribe stage 2 hypertensive patients medication from one or more of these drug classes:
- Diuretics - Help the body eliminate fluid and sodium to reduce blood volume
- ACE inhibitors - Prevent blood vessels from narrowing
- ARBs - Relax and widen blood vessels
- Beta-blockers - Reduce how hard the heart has to work
- Calcium channel blockers - Prevent calcium buildup in arteries
- Alpha-blockers - Reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels
- Alpha-beta-blockers - Impact both nerves and hormones reducing vessel narrowing
- Central agonists - Prevent the brain from signaling blood vessel constriction
- Vasodilators - Open blood vessels wider
Identifying the right single or combination therapy often takes trial and error under a doctor's care. Frequent blood pressure monitoring helps determine effectiveness.
What the Future Holds
Bringing stage 2 hypertension under control requires diligent self-care through both lifestyle changes and medications to prevent damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and more over decades.
Some people can achieve remission either reducing treatment or a period without meds if they lose a significant amount of weight, make major diet changes, increase physical activity, quit smoking, manage stress well, or resolve underlying causes.
However, most require lifelong medication and self-care. By keeping blood pressure at or below 130/80 mmHg consistently, those with stage 2 hypertension can live full, healthy lives preventing issues like stroke, dementia, eye disease, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, peripheral artery disease resulting in amputation, and more.
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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