What Does a Blood Pressure Reading of 162 Mean?

Is a Blood Pressure Reading of 162 Too High?

A blood pressure reading of 162 is considered stage 2 hypertension. While not yet an emergency level, this reading does indicate high blood pressure that requires medical treatment and lifestyle changes to bring down. If left unchecked, a continual BP reading of 162/XX can lead to serious health consequences.

But what exactly do the numbers mean, and how alarmed should you be about a 162 reading? Let's take a closer look at what blood pressure of 162 potentially signifies.

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers - systolic pressure over diastolic pressure. Systolic is the pressure in your blood vessels when the heart beats and pushes blood through circulation. Diastolic represents pressure between heartbeats when the heart is at rest.

A normal blood pressure reading for adults falls under 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic. This is abbreviated as 120/80 mmHg. Once systolic pressure reaches 140-159 or diastolic 90-99, a person is considered to have stage 1 hypertension.

A reading of 162 is well into stage 2 hypertension territory, defined as a systolic pressure of 160 or above, or diastolic of 100 or above. At this level, medical intervention is strongly advised to avoid complications.

Is 162 Dangerously High Blood Pressure?

A BP of 162 is not considered a hypertensive crisis or emergency, but it is classified as significantly and dangerously high. Sustained readings at this level increase risk of:

• Heart attack or heart failure
• Stroke
• Kidney damage or failure
• Vision loss
• Cognitive decline and dementia

The higher your blood pressure, the more strain on your heart and blood vessels. This accelerates damage throughout the body, especially the heart, kidneys and brain.

Causes of a 162 Blood Pressure Reading

In most cases, there is not one specific cause of a significantly high 162 reading. More commonly it is the result of chronic untreated hypertension. Contributing factors include:

• Genetic predisposition
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy diet - especially high sodium intake
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Smoking
• High stress and anxiety
• Sleep apnea
• Kidney disease
• Adrenal disease
• Certain medications

That being said, acutely high spikes in blood pressure like 162 can occasionally happen in response to:

• Severe stress or anxiety
• Pain
• Dehydration
• Alcohol or drug use
• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Cold temperatures
• Heavy weight lifting

In these scenarios, following resting and hydrating the reading should return to a normal baseline after some time. If it remains 162 or higher, medical evaluation is needed.

Risk Factors for Hypertension

Some of the key risk factors that make high blood pressure like 162 more likely include:

• Overweight or obesity - excess weight strains the heart
• Older age - BP rises with age as arteries stiffen
• Family history - genetic predisposition
• Race - higher risk among African Americans
• Sedentary lifestyle - lack of exercise
• Smoking - damages blood vessels
• High sodium diet - strains kidneys
• Excess alcohol - toxin that impacts circulation and heart function
• High stress - elevates hormones that constrict blood vessels
• Diabetes, kidney disease, or thyroid disorder - chronic conditions that impact circulation

The more risk factors you have, the higher your likelihood of developing dangerously high BP. With proper screening, you can detect issues early and make preventive lifestyle changes.

Medical Treatment for a BP of 162

Bringing down a reading of 162 requires a multi-faceted medical approach including:

• Medications - Anti-hypertensive drugs like ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers and diuretics help lower BP through different mechanisms.
• Lifestyle changes - Weight loss, healthy diet, exercise, sleep, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking.
• Stress management - Relaxation techniques, therapy, social support.
• Supplements - Potassium, magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids support heart health.
• Consistent monitoring - Track BP daily and work closely with your doctor on treatment.

Depending on your exact situation including age, medical history and duration of hypertension, your doctor will personalize a treatment plan for your blood pressure of 162.

Lowering BP Without Medication First

For milder cases of high BP in the 140-159 range, doctors may recommend trying lifestyle changes first before immediately starting medication:

• Lose excess weight
• Exercise regularly - aim for 30+ minutes daily
• Limit alcohol and quit smoking
• Reduce sodium intake below 1,500 mg daily
• Eat a heart healthy diet focused on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains
• Limit processed foods and added sugars
• Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Find ways to manage stress daily through techniques like meditation, yoga, journaling, etc.

Implementing these strategies can potentially get a milder BP of 140-159 down to a healthier zone. But for readings in the 160s like 162, medication is usually also required.

When to Seek Emergency Treatment

While 162 itself doesn't indicate a hypertensive emergency, at home monitoring can sometimes miss the severity of extremely high readings.

Seek emergency care if in addition to an extremely high reading of 180+ systolic, you experience:

• Severe headache
• Nosebleeds
• Severe anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Blurry vision

Extremely high BP requires IV medication to quickly lower it and prevent complications like stroke, kidney failure, blindness or aneurysm.

The Bottom Line

Consistently high blood pressure around 162/XX is classified as stage 2 hypertension. This requires medical treatment through lifestyle changes and medication to control and prevent organ damage and associated health risks.

Partner closely with your doctor and take steps to lower your BP if you see readings consistently at or above 160/100 mmHg. Though not an emergency level, start treatment promptly at these numbers to avoid progression to a hypertensive crisis down the road.

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.