How Long Does It Take To Lower Blood Pressure
It was just a routine doctors visit, at least thats what you thought.
But you heard news that surprised you. You have high blood pressure, your doctor announced, and you need to lower it to avoid some very serious things that high blood pressure can lead to, like strokes and heart attacks.
Many people can reduce their high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, in as little as 3 days to 3 weeks.
Its a lot to take in, and you have questions, including:
How long does it take to lower blood pressure? and
Whats the best way to do it?
Here are answers from the physicians, registered dietitians, and other faculty at the famed Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, which has helped thousands over the past four decades lower their blood pressure and live well.
Diastolic Blood Pressure Control: How Low Is Too Low
It is well established that controlling your blood pressure with blood-pressure lowering medications reduces risks of heart related events and death. It has been further demonstrated that lowering systolic blood pressure as well diastolic blood pressure means that you’ll benefit .In the late 1970s, data revealed that while there is no level of SBP lowering that does not incrementally improve outcomes, such may not be the case for DBP . Subsequently, numerous analyses have been performed demonstrating that when lowered from high numbers above 90, diastolic blood pressure improvements decreased risks. But if DBP keeps getting lower, there is a higher risk of mortality and coronary events in those whose DBPs were lowered below 65-85 mm Hg . Many of these analyses were, however, based on small numbers of cases.Three explanations might explain this phenomenon.
Why Diastolic Blood Pressure Is Important
Typically, for people over 50, more attention is directed to the higher number, systolic blood pressure, as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease 4. Therefore, why is diastolic pressure important?
Diastolic pressure is important because an elevated diastolic pressure may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure. In addition, elevated diastolic pressure means there is an increased risk of developing elevated systolic blood pressure as a person ages.
Recent studies have researched people ranging from 40 to 89 years of age. They found for each 10 mmHg diastolic number increase in blood pressure, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles.
Ischemic heart disease is a term given to heart problems that are caused by narrowed heart arteries.
On the other hand, if diastolic blood pressure is too low, meaning coronary arteries arent getting enough blood pressure, the heart is going to lack oxygen and blood. This is called ischemia and may weaken the heart over time which can lead to heart failure.
The coronary arteries which surround the aortic valve in the heart only get blood when the aortic valve closes, and this happens in diastole 5.
What is diastole? Diastole is the part of the cardiac cycle when the heart is relaxed between beats and refills with blood.
Diastolic blood pressure is measured at the moment diastole is occurring 6.
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What Are The Side Effects Of High Blood Pressure Drugs
As is true with any medication, high blood pressure drugs have side effects. Among the most common are the following:
- Diuretics: headache, weakness, low potassium blood levels
- Angiotensin receptor blockers: fatigue, dizziness or fainting, diarrhea, congestion, high potassium blood levels
- Calcium channel blockers: dizziness, heart rhythm problems, ankle swelling, constipation
- Beta-blockers: dizziness or lightheadedness, decreased sexual ability, drowsiness, fatigue, low heart rate
- Alpha-blockers: dizziness, headache, pounding heartbeat, nausea, weakness, weight gain
What Can I Do To Prevent Or Manage High Blood Pressure
Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range or keep their numbers in a healthy range by making lifestyle changes. Talk with your health care team about
- Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week
- Not smoking
- Managing stress
Learn more about ways to manage and prevent high blood pressure.
In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure. Learn more about medicines for high blood pressure.
Talk with your health care team right away if you think you have high blood pressure or if youve been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control.
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Risk Of Injury From Falls
If your blood pressure is low enough, the drop can cause symptoms such as fainting or dizziness.This causes a significant risk of falling since youre not conscious to stop the fall. Additionally, youre not aware of how badly youve injured yourself during a fainting spell. This can lead to serious injuries, such as head trauma from hitting your head.
How Can You Reduce Your Risk Of High Blood Pressure
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. These include the following:
- Eat right: A healthy diet is an important step in keeping your blood pressure normal. The DASH diet emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet while reducing the amount of sodium. Since its rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH diet makes it easier to eat less salt and sodium.
- Keep a healthy weight: Going hand-in-hand with a proper diet is keeping a healthy weight. Since being overweight increases your blood pressure, losing excess weight with diet and exercise will help lower your blood pressure to healthier levels.
- Cut down on salt: The recommendation for salt in your diet is to have less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day . To prevent hypertension, you should keep your salt intake below this level. Don’t forget that most restaurant foods and many processed and frozen foods contain high levels of salt. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food do not add salt at the table.
- Keep active: Even simple physical activities, such as walking, can lower your blood pressure .
- Drinkalcoholin moderation: Having more than one drink a day and two drinks a day can raise blood pressure.
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Highlights Of The Study
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A patient with very elevated systolic blood pressure and low diastolic blood pressure is difficult to treat if one strictly follows the guidelines, as sBP is a clear indication for antihypertensive treatment, but dBP 70 mm Hg is a relative contraindication.
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We suggest that an adequate search and analysis ought to be performed to solve this problem.
Low diastolic blood pressure is when blood pressure between heartbeats is lower than it should be. Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts against the arteries as the heart pumps it around the body.
This article will take a closer look at low diastolic blood pressure, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Blood pressure readings use two numbers recorded in millimeters of mercury . The two numbers measure:
Systolic blood pressure: This is the top number, and is the higher of the two. It measures how much pressure the blood applies to the artery walls when the heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure: This is the lower number, which shows the pressure that the blood applies to the artery walls when the heart rests between beats.
A blood pressure reading will show the systolic blood pressure number first, and diastolic blood pressure second. A doctor will assess a persons blood pressure by considering both numbers. In most adults, a is usually less than 120/80 mm Hg. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is blood pressure that is below 90/60 mm Hg.
Take Blood Pressure Medications As Prescribed
The American Heart Association state that people should take their blood pressure medications according to their doctors exact instructions. People should never quit or cut back on their medications unless their doctor has advised them to do so.
If a person has trouble remembering to take their blood pressure medications, they should set up daily reminders on their phone or other devices.
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How Is Diastolic Hypertension Treated
Your doctor may order blood tests to assess your cholesterol levels, kidney function, etc. to determine the cause of your hypertension. For most people, hypertension is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. If your increase in blood pressure is mild, your doctor will probably recommend making some lifestyle changes before prescribing medications.
Lifestyle changes include:
How To Read Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure readings have two numbers: a systolic pressure and a diastolic pressure, given in units of milligrams of mercury .
The higher number is the systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure generated by the heart pumping blood through the arteries. The lower number is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries while the heart is relaxing.
A normal blood pressure is less than 120 systolic over less than 80 diastolic. A systolic blood pressure in the 120s is considered elevated, even with a normal diastolic reading.
Hypertension is diagnosed with systolic reading 130 or higher, or a diastolic reading 80 or higher.
| Blood Pressure Categories | |
|---|---|
| > /=130 | > /=90 |
Both systolic and diastolic measurements are important when considering your heart’s health. A high systolic reading is the most common form of high blood pressure, especially in older people, due to arteries stiffening over time.
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Prevention And Management Of Low Diastolic Blood Pressure
There are some things you can do to help prevent and manage low diastolic pressure.
- Try to keep your salt intake to between 1.5 and 4 grams per day. An ideal number is probably about 3.5 grams. You can do this by reading food labels and avoiding added salt in your diet.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and include whole grains. For protein, stick to lean meats and fish. Avoid fatty foods.
- Drink enough fluids and avoid alcohol, which can increase your risk for dehydration.
- Stay physically active and start an exercise program. Ask your doctor what type and amount of exercise is safe for you.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If youre overweight, ask your doctor to help you with a safe weight loss plan.
- Dont smoke.
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Drugs And Supplements To Avoid With High Blood Pressure
It’s just as important to avoid substances that can increase your blood pressure as it is to make lifestyle changes and take blood pressure medications.
Here is a list of substances to avoid if you have high blood pressure:
- Over-the-counter “decongestant” cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, like Sudafed
- Chronic use of NSAIDs , like Motrin , Advil , and Aleve
- Black licorice
- Cocaine
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What Do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean
There are two sets of blood pressure numbers: systolic and diastolic. The top number of a blood pressure reading is called systolic. This means that your heart squeezes the hardest when it pumps blood through your blood vessels. Diastolic is the lower number. It is between each heartbeat. Your heart rests so it can fill with more blood.
Diastolic blood pressure is important because it gives us an idea of how well your heart is relaxing between each heartbeat, but the standard diastolic blood pressure number you hear about in most cases isnt exactly accurate for everyone. This person is on medication that slows down their metabolism. This means they will have a low pulse rate without any effort.
There are a few different ways to determine your diastolic blood pressure. You can get it done in the doctors office using an inflatable cuff, you could use one of those automated cuffs that take readings every time they sense your pulse or if you have access to home monitors then there is always that option as well. If you do not know what your blood pressure number is, ask your doctor.
Serious Injuries And Shock
Low blood pressure can also be caused by serious injuries or burns, particularly if you have lost a lot of blood. This can mean that there is less blood being pumped around your body. Low blood pressure can also occur if you go into shock after having a serious injury.
Other kinds of shock are described below.
Anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic shock, or anaphylaxis, is caused by an allergic reaction to something for example, a wasp sting or a peanut. During an allergic reaction, your body produces a large amount of a chemical called histamine, which causes your blood vessels to widen and leads to a sudden, severe drop in blood pressure.
Cardiogenic shock
Cardiogenic shock occurs when your heart cannot supply enough blood to your body, so your blood pressure drops. This can happen during a heart attack.
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What Is Low Diastolic Pressure
The second number of the two digits in your blood pressure reading indicates your diastolic blood pressure, which is a measurement of the pressure in your arteries as your heart muscle relaxes after a contraction, explains the American Heart Association . The first, or top, number represents your systolic blood pressure, indicating how much pressure results from the force exerted by your heart when it beats.
The AHA notes that a normal blood pressure reading is less than 120 over 80. One number is not more important than the other, but a low diastolic number often referred to as hypotension can indicate you arent getting enough oxygenated blood in your heart. Over time, this may lead to weakening of the heart muscles.
Low diastolic blood pressure less than 60 millimeters of mercury is more common in older women and can be a concern because its been found to be a risk factor for heart failure, as noted in the October 2016 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
How Much Aspirin Should I Take To Lower Blood Pressure
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Diastolic Blood Pressure In The 50s
Is 50 a normal diastolic number? A diastolic number of 50 is not normal diastolic blood pressure. It is considered low blood pressure. Any diastolic blood pressure number under 60 mmHg is considered low blood pressure.
Low diastolic blood pressure can occur with a low systolic or with a normal systolic pressure. When diastolic is low but systolic isnt, its called isolated diastolic blood pressure. This can be dangerous for your heart 7.
Unlike the rest of the body, your heart receives blood during diastolic, when its not beating. This can lead to symptoms of a weakening heart.
The American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology hasnt determined a set number range for low blood pressure. Most experts consider low diastolic pressure under 60 mmHg 8.
What Does The Systolic Blood Pressure Number Mean
When your heart beats, it squeezes and pushes blood through your arteries to the rest of your body. This force creates pressure on those blood vessels, and that’s your systolic blood pressure.
Hereâs how to understand your systolic blood pressure number:
- Normal: Below 120
- Stage 1 high blood pressure : 130-139
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or more
- Hypertensive crisis: 180 or more. Call 911.
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Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa
Reduce high blood pressure while enjoying a resort vacation. All-Inclusive Program
I used to think these dramatic drops in blood pressure were something that happened to only a very few people, continues Dr. Fruge, but Ive been here at Pritikin for more than 15 years, and I see results like these every week. This isnt a miracle. Its simply what happens when we start taking good care of ourselves.