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Is Your Blood Pressure Value in the Normal Range?
And why the numbers are so important.
Hypertension is the diagnosis for someone who has chronically elevated blood pressure. This can be caused by a number of factors, most of which can be modified by lifestyle changes. Uncontrolled hypertension, on the other hand, can lead to catastrophic and debilitating outcomes, up to and including death.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of pressure placed upon the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The first, or upper number (systolic), represents the amount of pressure on the vessels when the heart contracts (squeezes/pumps). The second, or bottom number (diastolic), signifies the amount of pressure on the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
Our blood vessels become less pliable and elastic with age, as well as from the build-up of plaque in the arteries (primarily from a combination of hereditary factors and lifestyle choices). This compromise of our arteries puts us at greater risk for heart attack and stroke.
Our blood vessels become less pliable and elastic with age, as well as from the build-up of plaque in the arteries (primarily from a combination of hereditary factors and lifestyle choices). This compromise of our arteries puts us at greater risk for heart attack and stroke.
Why is Normal Blood Pressure Important?
Variations in blood pressure readings are important in the diagnosis of several health conditions, most particularly hypertension – the chronic elevation of the BP itself. Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease, kidney disease,
and potential for stroke. A normal blood pressure is one that is between the highest and lowest levels determined to be optimal, or best, for one’s age.
and potential for stroke. A normal blood pressure is one that is between the highest and lowest levels determined to be optimal, or best, for one’s age.
Normal and Abnormal Blood Pressure Values
BP categories based on the average of two or more in-office blood pressure readings:
Normal
Less than 120/80 mm Hg
Elevated
Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80
Stage 1
Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89
Stage 2
Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg
Hypertensive Crisis
Systolic over 160 and/or diastolic over 100, and evidence of new or worsening organ damage (heart, kidneys, brain). Patients will need hospitalization for medication
Treatment of High Blood Pressure
Treatment of high blood pressure should include dietary modifications (daily sodium <2300 mg/day), limited alcohol intake, increased physical activity (aka: exercise), weight loss if overweight, regular BP monitoring, and possibly medication. All these lifestyle changes will need to be closely coordinated with your healthcare team for the best results
Hypertension Can Also Cause:
- Heart Attack or Stroke High blood pressure can cause hardening and thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other complications.
- Aneurysm Increased blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to weaken and bulge, forming a life-threatening aneurysm.
- Heart Failure To pump blood against the higher pressure in your vessels, the heart has to work harder. This causes the walls of the heart's pumping chamber to thicken, leading to heart failure.
- Weakened and Narrowed Blood Vessels in your Kidneys This can prevent these organs from functioning normally.
- Thickened, Narrowed or Torn Blood Vessels in the Eyes This can result in vision loss.
- Metabolic Syndrome This is a cluster of disorders of your body's metabolism, including increased waist circumference; high triglycerides; low highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol; high blood pressure and high insulin levels. These conditions make you more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
- Trouble with Memory or Understanding Uncontrolled high blood pressure may also affect your ability to think, remember and learn. This is more common in people with high blood pressure.
- Dementia Narrowed or blocked or ruptured arteries can limit blood flow to the brain, leading to vascular dementia. A stroke that interrupts blood flow to the brain also can cause vascular dementia.
