You likely already know that your blood pressure is important, and that it can affect your health in many ways. Show But what exactly is a healthy blood pressure reading, and what do your blood pressure numbers mean? In this article, we’ll explain what’s considered normal, elevated, and high blood pressure, and what that means for you and your health. When a healthcare professional takes your blood pressure, it’s expressed as a measurement with two numbers, one number on top (systolic) and one on the bottom (diastolic), like a fraction. For example, 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. That’s what the mm/Hg stands for. Here’s what the numbers mean:
Both numbers are important in determining the state of your heart health. Numbers greater than the ideal range may be a sign that your heart is working too hard to pump blood to the rest of your body. For a normal reading, your blood pressure needs to show:
The American Heart Association (AHA) considers blood pressure to be within the normal range when both your systolic and diastolic numbers are in these ranges. If you’re in the normal range, no medical intervention is needed. However, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and moderate weight to help prevent high blood pressure from developing. You may need to be even more mindful of your lifestyle if high blood pressure runs in your family. Normal blood pressure Blood pressure numbers that are higher than 120/80 mm Hg are a warning sign. It means you need to pay attention to your blood pressure and focus on heart-healthy habits. Although these numbers aren’t technically considered high blood pressure, you’ve moved out of the normal range. Elevated blood pressure may turn into high blood pressure, which puts you at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Elevated blood pressure No medications are necessary for elevated blood pressure. But your doctor may talk with you about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, such as getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and managing your weight. You may receive a diagnosis of stage 1 hypertension (the medical term for high blood pressure) if:
However, the AHA notes that if you get only one reading this high, you may not truly have stage 1 hypertension. What determines the diagnosis of hypertension at any stage is the average of your blood pressure numbers over a period of time. Your doctor can help you measure and track your blood pressure to confirm whether it’s too high. Stage 1 hypertension If you’re at lower risk, your doctor may want to follow up in 3 to 6 months after you’ve adopted healthier habits. If you’re 65 years or older and otherwise healthy, your doctor will likely recommend treatment and lifestyle changes once your systolic blood pressure is greater than 130 mm Hg. The treatment for adults 65 and older who have significant health problems should be made on a case-by-case basis. Treating high blood pressure in older adults appears to decrease memory problems and dementia. Stage 2 hypertension indicates a more serious condition. You may receive a diagnosis of stage 2 hypertension if:
At this stage, your doctor will recommend one or more medications to manage your blood pressure. Medications aren’t the only treatment for this stage, though. Lifestyle habits are just as important in stage 2 hypertension as they are in the other stages. Stage 2 hypertension A blood pressure reading above 180/120 mm Hg indicates a serious health problem. The AHA refers to these high measurements as a “hypertensive crisis.” Blood pressure in this range requires urgent treatment, even if there are no accompanying symptoms. Seek emergency medical treatment if you have blood pressure in this range. You may also have symptoms such as:
However, sometimes a high reading can occur temporarily, and then your numbers will return to normal. If your blood pressure measures at this level, your doctor will likely take a second reading after a few minutes. If your second blood pressure reading is also above 180/120 mm Hg, you’ll need immediate treatment. Hypertensive crisisShare on Pinterest Treatment for hypertension depends on how high your blood pressure is, as well as your lifestyle and risk factors. For elevated blood pressure, the goal is to keep your blood pressure from developing into clinical hypertension. No medications are necessary at this stage. Your doctor may recommend:
For stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes as mentioned above, as well as:
For stage 2 hypertension, the typical treatment, in addition to a healthier lifestyle, is medication. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medications to help lower your blood pressure:
A hypertensive crisis requires immediate treatment. Medications may be given orally or intravenously (through an IV). The most commonly used medications for a hypertensive crisis include:
If your blood pressure is in the hypertensive crisis range and you also have kidney failure, the following medications may be prescribed:
Even if you have healthy blood pressure numbers, it’s important to take preventive measures to keep your blood pressure within a normal range. This can help lower your risk of developing hypertension, heart disease, and other complications of high blood pressure. As you age, prevention becomes even more important. Systolic pressure tends to creep up once you’re older than 50, and it’s far more important in predicting the risk of coronary heart disease and other conditions. The following preventive measures may help lower or reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:
Untreated or poorly managed high blood pressure can cause serious and even life threatening issues. It can damage your blood vessels as well as your organs. The longer your hypertension goes untreated, the more it can damage your body and affect your health. Potential complications of high blood pressure include:
Low blood pressure is known as hypotension. In adults, a blood pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or below is often considered hypotension. Hypotension can be dangerous because blood pressure that’s too low doesn’t supply your body and heart with enough oxygenated blood. Some potential causes of hypotension can include:
Hypotension is usually accompanied by lightheadedness or dizziness. Talk with your doctor to find out the cause of your low blood pressure and what you can do to raise it. Keeping your blood pressure within a normal range is key to preventing complications, such as heart disease and stroke. A combination of healthy lifestyle habits and medications can help lower your blood pressure. If you have overweight or obesity, weight loss is also important in keeping your blood pressure numbers down. Remember that a single blood pressure reading doesn’t necessarily classify your health. An average of blood pressure readings taken over time is the most accurate. That’s why it’s important to have your blood pressure taken by a healthcare professional at least once a year. You may need more frequent follow-ups if your readings are consistently elevated. What does it mean if the second number in blood pressure is high?The second number is the diastolic pressure (bottom number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats. If the top number stays high, or the bottom number stays high, or both, that means you have high blood pressure (hypertension).
Which is more important systolic or diastolic blood pressure?Q. When I am monitoring my blood pressure, which number is most important — top, bottom, or both? A. While both numbers in a blood pressure reading are essential for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure, doctors primarily focus on the top number, also known as systolic pressure.
What number should the second number in blood pressure be?Normal blood pressure
If your blood pressure reading is at or under 120 over 80, you have healthy blood pressure and you can keep doing what you're doing.
How do you lower the second number in your blood pressure?Lifestyle changes. Take blood pressure medications as prescribed. ... . Maintain a healthy weight. ... . Trim the waistline. ... . Increase exercise. ... . Quit smoking. ... . Reduce stress. ... . Get enough sleep each night. ... . Monitor blood pressure at home.. |