Wednesday, March 27, 2024
HomeHighHigh Blood Pressure Stage 2

High Blood Pressure Stage 2

Quitting Smoking And Limiting Alcohol

Hypertension – High Blood Pressure, easy explained

If youre a smoker and have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will most likely advise you to quit. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the bodys tissues and harden blood vessel walls.

If you regularly consume too much alcohol or have an alcohol dependency, seek help to reduce the amount you drink or stop altogether. Drinking alcohol in excess can raise blood pressure.

If you have risk factors for hypertension, you can take steps now to lower your risk for the condition and its complications.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure Regularly

The best way to prevent complications and avoid problems is to recognize hypertension early.

Keep a log of your blood pressure readings and take it to your regular doctor appointments. This can help your doctor see any possible problems before the condition advances.

People with hypertension can deliver healthy babies despite having the condition. But it can be dangerous to both the birthing parent and baby if its not monitored closely and managed during the pregnancy.

People with high blood pressure who become pregnant are more likely to develop complications . For example, pregnant women with hypertension may experience decreased kidney function. Babies born to birthing parents with hypertension may have a low birth weight or be born prematurely.

Some people may develop hypertension during their pregnancies. Several types of high blood pressure problems can develop. The condition often reverses itself once the baby is born. Developing hypertension during pregnancy may increase your risk for developing hypertension later in life.

Can High Blood Pressure Affect Pregnancy

High blood pressure complicates about 10% of all pregnancies. There are several different types of high blood pressure during pregnancy and they range from mild to serious. The forms of high blood pressure during pregnancy include:

Chronic hypertension: High blood pressure which is present before pregnancy.

Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure in the latter part of pregnancy.

Preeclampsia: This is a dangerous condition that typically develops in the latter half of pregnancy and results in hypertension, protein in the urine and generalized swelling in the pregnant person. It can affect other organs in the body and cause seizures .

Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia: Pregnant people who have chronic hypertension are at increased risk for developing preeclampsia.

Your provider will check your blood pressure regularly during prenatal appointments, but if you have concerns about your blood pressure, be sure to talk with your provider.

Read Also: How To Reduce Low Blood Pressure

Signs Of High Blood Pressure And Stages Of Hypertension

Posted by Dr. Chris

Heart attacks and strokes are the leading causes of death in the United States and high blood pressure is one of the main factors that contributes to these conditions. With 1 in 3 American adults suffering with hypertension , it is understandable why this condition is a major public health concern. It is estimated that as many as 20% of adults with hypertension do not even know that they have an elevated blood pressure.

Also Check: Does Apple Watch Detect Blood Pressure

What Can I Expect If I Have This Condition

which blood pressure reading indicates stage 2 hypertension?  Bnr.Co

Since high blood pressure doesnt cause many symptoms at first, you probably wont feel any different with a high blood pressure diagnosis. But its important to follow your providers instructions to bring your blood pressure down so it doesnt cause serious illnesses later in life.

How long does high blood pressure last?

If you have primary high blood pressure, youll need to control it for the rest of your life.

If you have secondary high blood pressure, your blood pressure will most likely come down after you receive treatment for the medical problem that caused it. If a medication caused your high blood pressure, switching to a different medicine may lower your blood pressure.

What is the outlook for high blood pressure?

You can get seriously ill if you dont treat your high blood pressure. However, if you take the medicines your provider ordered, you can control your blood pressure. Exercising and eating healthy foods also helps lower your blood pressure.

Don’t Miss: How To Take Blood Pressure Readings

Who Is At Risk For High Blood Pressure

Your family history, lifestyle and medications can increase the chances youll develop high blood pressure. Risk factors for high blood pressure include:

  • Drinking too much
  • Some medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, also known as NSAIDS, some decongestants, weight loss medicines and stimulants)
  • Some underlying health conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, kidney conditions, adrenal gland tumors and thyroid diseases
  • Tobacco and illicit drug use

Unfortunately, family history is a large contributing factor. Even if you eat well, are physically active and avoid risk factors, you may still experience high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure A Silent Killer

Media Relations Manager

Tags: Anxiety , Blood Pressure , Heart Health , Stress Management , Urinary & Kidney , Structural Heart , Heart Failure , Heart Disease , Heart Attack ,

High blood pressure often runs silent and deep, stealthily building and cloaking its symptoms. As it continues along its insidious path, it can affect organ function and lead to serious and deadly consequences.

It is hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure within the artery walls. There are myriad causes of high blood pressure including genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, a high salt diet, obesity, sleep apnea and stress.

Its been called the silent killer for ages because hypertension does not seemingly have obvious symptoms in many cases,” said Atul Chugh, MD, a cardiologist with Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis. The more reported symptoms are fatigue and throbbing headaches centered behind the eyes.

Read Also: How To Take Your Blood Pressure Manually

What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

Most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms. This is why its sometimes called the silent killer. It is very important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Some people experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath with high blood pressure. However, those symptoms can mimic many other things . Usually, these symptoms occur once blood pressure has reached a dangerously high level over a period of time.

Will I Need To Follow A Special Diet

What Is Stage 2 High Blood Pressure

If you are overweight, your healthcare provider may want you to lose weight. Also, most healthcare providers recommend a diet that is low in fat and salt as part of the treatment for patients with high blood pressure. Spices and herbs can be used instead of salt to add flavor to food.

Your healthcare provider can refer you to a registered dietitian who will help you learn more about eating the right foods in the right amounts to help control your blood pressure. If you have kidney disease or diabetes, you should not make changes in your diet without speaking to your healthcare provider.

Also Check: Can Beet Juice Lower Blood Pressure

How I Beat Stage 2 Hypertension In Just Six Weeks Without Taking Medications

But thats impossible!

Well, I just proved otherwise. And Im going to tell you how. The thing is, you will not believe how ridiculously easy it was.

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor for qualified medical advice before undertaking a new diet or exercise plan. Also note that if you have chronic kidney disease or take prescription medications that raise blood pressure, the suggestions in this article will not likely work for you.

How Can I Be More Active

  • Check first with your healthcare provider before increasing your physical activity. Ask your provider what type and amount of exercise is right for you.
  • Choose aerobic activities such as walking, biking or swimming.
  • Start slowly and increase activity gradually. Aim for a regular routine of activity five times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each session.

You May Like: Apple Cider Vinegar Dose For High Blood Pressure

Stage Two Of Hypertension

This stage is referred to as prehypertension. Systolic will be between 130 and 139 mm Hg and diastolic will be between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Prehypertension is exactly what it sounds like, the stage before someone crosses into hypertension. A person who is at stage two of hypertension is at risk for developing high blood pressure, but still has a chance to avoid it.

At this stage, a person has some risk of experiencing heart disease or a stroke. Medication is typically not used at this point because it hasnât been proven to help against potential strokes or heart disease at this stage. However, a person should still try to make lifestyle changes to avoid hypertension. This could mean quitting smoking or changing the way you eat. Exercise is a great way of lowering your blood pressure, as is trying the DASH diet.

Rates Of High Blood Pressure Vary By Geography

What Is High Blood Pressure Stage 2 Mean

High blood pressure is more common in some areas of the United States than in others. Below is a map showing the self-reported rate of hypertension by state in 2011 . However, this map likely underreports the true effect of hypertension in each state, because about 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure is unaware of it and would not report having it.5

Also Check: What Is To Low Blood Pressure

What Is White Coat Hypertension

White coat hypertension is when a childs blood pressure readings are high at the doctors office , but normal outside of the office .

This is pretty common in kids. By some estimations, between 30 and 40 percent of kids who have high blood pressure in the office actually have white-coat hypertension.

White coat hypertension is still a risk. Everyones blood pressure changes from time to timeits lower when youre asleep, for examplebut if a childs blood pressure continually rises when shes anxious , it can be sign of high blood pressure at other times and potentially cause the same kinds of damage that standard hypertension causes.

White coat hypertension is diagnosed by taking the childs blood pressure outside of the doctors office. This can be done in different ways:

  • Some parents feel comfortable doing it at home.
  • Sometimes we make arrangements for a school nurse to check the childs blood pressure.
  • Your childs doctor might recommend that she wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring devicea blood pressure cuff attached to a small device that sits on her belt , and measures her blood pressure at regular intervals over the course of 24 hours. This device is about the size of a deck of cards and is usually tolerated very well.

If your child is diagnosed with white coat hypertension, her doctor may still want to follow her, since some children with white coat hypertension will develop actual hypertension in the future.

Recommended Reading: High Blood Pressure Heart Pain

Stage 2 Hypertension Causes

If you have, stage 2 hypertension I hope youre taking some form of action. Did you know a 20 mmHg increase in systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic, doubles your risk of stroke, heart attack or other cardiovascular disease? 1.

When your blood pressure is in that range consistently, it didnt get there by accident. That number increase puts your BP in or close to stage 2 hypertension. There are many causes why this occurs. Knowing those causes may help you keep your numbers under control and may save your life one day.

This blog post will cover all the causes. It will include ones that develop over time and cause essential or primary hypertension. This is high blood pressure undue to an underlying issue and does not have one apparent cause. Others are more severe and put you at more risk of higher blood pressure. This is called secondary hypertension.

BP Tip: You can lower BP naturally by changing how you breathe. Theres a device approved by the FDA and The American Heart Association. It guides your breathing a few minutes a day which has been proven to lower BP. You can check it out in the manufacturers website by .

Disclaimer: Some links in this article are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The following are stage 2 hypertension causes:

You May Like: How To Cure High Blood Pressure With Water

Living With High Blood Pressure

Controlling your high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You will always need to monitor your weight, make healthy food choices, exercise, learn to cope with stress, avoid smoking, and limit your alcohol intake. If you need medicine to control your high blood pressure, you will likely need it all your life.

Additionally, you will need to get used to regular blood pressure checks. Your doctor may want you to come to the office regularly. Or you may be asked to check your blood pressure at home and keep track of your numbers for your doctor. Some pharmacies and retail clinics have blood pressure machines on site. You can buy your own, automated arm blood pressure cuff for use at home. Your doctor may want you to check your blood pressure several times a day. Another option is to use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.

Whats Considered Elevated Blood Pressure

Hypertension

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 arent technically considered high blood pressure, youve 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

When your systolic pressure is between 120 and 129mm Hgand your diastolic pressure is less than 80mm Hg, it means you have 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 if:

  • your systolic blood pressure is between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or
  • your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 mm Hg

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 its too high.

Stage 1 hypertension

If your systolic blood pressure is 130 to 139 mm Hgor your diastolic blood pressure is 80 to 89 mm Hg, its considered stage 1 hypertension.

Recommended Reading: How To Deal With High Blood Pressure

What My Daily Meals Are Like

I talked to my wife about my condition and asked for her support. She immediately sprang into action and went shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables. She also bought us a juicer. Over the past month, she made a variety of fresh fruit and vegetable juices every morning. My personal favourite is beetroot juice with ginger, and it seems to be quite effective at lowering blood pressure as well!

She also cooked nutritious meals while experimenting with different spices in lieu of table salt. I can feel my palate adjusting to the natural flavours of whole foods. Without getting saturated with heaps of salt, food now tastes the way they should. In fact, dishes with even a moderate amount of added salt now taste too salty. Even certain soups now taste like seawater to my new palate.

On a typical day, I eat the following for breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with an afternoon snack:

Breakfast

  • Fresh fruit and vegetable juice made from beets, carrots, apple, and ginger
  • Whole grain rolled oats with cinnamon, dried apricots, crushed walnuts, and a pinch of brown sugar
  • A couple of tablespoons of yoghurt with fresh berries and diced cantaloupe

Lunch

  • Egg omelette with tomatoes, peppers, scallions, and seasoned with pepper
  • Salad with leafy greens, sliced cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, diced apples, crushed walnuts, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and Braggs apple cider vinegar
  • Club soda OR black tea

Snack

  • A handful of seeds or nuts

Dinner

What Does High Blood Pressure Feel Like

High blood pressure often doesn’t have any symptoms, so you usually don’t feel it. Thats why its important to stay up to date on your preventive care screenings can help identify potential problems like elevated blood pressure when its easiest to treat.

If your blood pressure reaches extremely high levels, you may get a headache, shortness of breath or a nosebleed. However, these symptoms may not be specific to your blood pressure. Critically high blood pressure can be caused by conditions that can have similar symptoms, like strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure or certain drug interactions.

Don’t Miss: What Is A Good Blood Pressure Range

Causes Of High Blood Pressure

Although the exact cause is unknown, certain conditions, traits or habits may raise your risk for the condition. These are known as risk factors and include:

Non-modifiable risk factors: These factors are irreversible and cannot be changed. The more of these risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing HBP.

  • Starting at age 18, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years. If you’re age 40 or older, or you’re 18 to 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every year.
  • Family history/Genetics
  • African Americans and non-white Hispanic Americans are at higher risk for developing high blood pressure than any other group in the U.S.

Modifiable risk factors: These factors can be modified, treated or controlled through medications or lifestyle changes.

  • Excessive alcohol consumption over many years.
  • Little to no physical activity
  • Excessive amounts of salt in diet that excess the recommended amounts of 1,500 to 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
  • Long history of smoking and/or drug abuse
  • Extreme emotional stress

Other conditions that contribute to developing high blood pressure

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Articles