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Is 140 90 High Blood Pressure

Complications When The Disease Is Undiagnosed

140/90 Blood Pressure: Do you need medication?

When high blood pressure is not diagnosed, it can cause several health complications such as general heart problems, heart attacks, angina and atherosclerosis.

People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop:

  • Heart failure:

When the heart is too weak to pump blood to the various organs in the body, many anomalies can occur such as organ failure or the accumulation of liquid in the lungs.

  • Brain issues:

People can suffer from a cerebral hemorrhage, thrombosis or even bleed from the retina.

  • Cerebrovascular accident :

The primary symptoms include noticeable changes such as a drooping face, the inability to lift both arms normally or trouble speaking.

  • Kidney issues:

Many kidney problems can appear over time. Some of the milder ones will not cause any symptoms. Other issues such as chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, however, are a lot more serious.

Heart Rate And Exercise

In discussions about high blood pressure, you will often see heart rate mentioned in relation to exercise. Your target heart rate is based on age and can help you monitor the intensity of your exercise.

  • If you measure your heart rate before, during and after physical activity, youll notice it will increase over the course of the exercise.
  • The greater the intensity of the exercise, the more your heart rate will increase.
  • When you stop exercising, your heart rate does not immediately return to your normal heart rate.
  • The more fit you are, the sooner your heart rate will return to normal.

Learn more:

Risks Of High Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.

Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:

  • have a relative with high blood pressure
  • are of black African or black Caribbean descent
  • live in a deprived area

Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high.

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Medications With Blood Pressure Of 140/90

If you arent on medications already, your doctor may recommend you begin with lifestyle changes. However, many will ultimately need medication to reduce their high blood pressure.

Medications can have a big impact on your blood pressure. There are a variety of different types of blood pressure medications available.

Following is a short list of each type of medication and what they do to reduce blood pressure.

  • DiureticsHelps rid the body of sodium , which helps control blood pressure.
  • Beta-blockersHelps reduce your heart rate, which helps lower blood pressure.
  • ACE inhibitorsACE stands for Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme. Helps the body produce less angiotensin, which helps the blood vessels relax and lowers blood pressure.
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockersHelps block the chemical that causes blood vessels to narrow, which helps blood vessels stay open and lowers blood pressure.
  • Calcium channel blockersHelps lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering smooth muscle cells, which can cause stronger heart contraction and narrow blood vessels.
  • Alpha blockersHelps relax certain muscles, which keeps blood vessels open and lowers blood pressure.
  • Alpha-2 Receptor AgonistsHelps lower blood pressure by inhibiting sympathetic activity.
  • Central agonistsUsing a different nerve path than Alpha and Beta blockers, Central agonists help relax blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.
  • VasodilatorsHelps dilate the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.

Healthy And Unhealthy Blood Pressure Ranges

Blood pressure 140/90 at the age of 28 male. How bad or ...

Learn whats considered normal, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

Blood Pressure Chart

SYSTOLIC mm Hg and/or DIASTOLIC mm Hg
NORMAL
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE STAGE 1 130 139
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE STAGE 2 140 OR HIGHER
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120

Note: A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional. A doctor should also evaluate any unusually low blood pressure readings.

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How Is Blood Pressure Measured

Blood pressure is measured by a blood pressure cuff . The blood pressure cuff consists of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff. The instrument measures the blood pressure in units called millimeters of mercury .

The cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated with an air pump to a pressure that blocks the flow of blood in the main artery that travels through the arm. The arm is held at the side of the body at the level of the heart, and the pressure of the cuff is gradually released. As the pressure decreases, a health practitioner listens with a stethoscope over the artery at the front of the elbow or an electronic machine senses the pulsation. The pressure at which the practitioner first hears a pulsation from the artery is the systolic pressure . As the cuff pressure decreases further, the pressure at which the pulsation finally stops is the diastolic pressure .

What Should I Do If I Have High Blood Pressure

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you and your healthcare provider will talk about your target blood pressure. Your provider may suggest that you:

  • Check your own blood pressure regularly with a home blood pressure monitor. These electronic monitors are available at most pharmacies or online.
  • Work on controlling anger and managing stress.

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What To Do If You Have Hypertension Stage One

Once your doctor diagnoses you with hypertension stage one, it will be very important to carefully, regularly monitor your blood pressure at home. Accurate, consistent readings will help your care provider determine if treatment measures are effective and if your blood pressure is either stabilizing or progressing toward hypertension stage two.

Experts recommend that people with stage one hypertension initially try lifestyle changes to correct their blood pressure measurements if they dont have existing cardiovascular disease and are at a low risk of developing it. Otherwise, lifestyle changes will likely be combined with lose-dose medications.

Lifestyle changes like these can lower your blood pressure significantly over time:

  • Heart-healthy diet of low salt, low sugar, lean meats, and plenty of veggies and fruits.
  • Regular aerobic exercise per week.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight based on your age and height.
  • Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink per day.
  • Limiting caffeine and other stimulants in the diet.
  • If applicable, tobacco cessation.
  • Avoiding processed, fried, and fatty foods.

Of course, there are also several classes of medications that your healthcare provider may add to treat hypertension if lifestyle changes alone arent enough.

  • Thiazide diuretics
  • Beta blockers
  • Vasodilators

The decision on which medication is best hinges upon your unique medical history, other existing health problems, and specific blood pressure readings.

My Blood Pressure Is 140/90 What Do I Do

High Blood Pressure: Definition and Treatment

Dr. T

QUESTION:

Dear Doctor,

My mothers blood pressure is 140/90. She is 56 years old. Whether the Blood Pressure 140/90 is normal one ? What are the precautions to be taken to reduce the blood pressure ?Please give me the answer ASAP.

Thanks

ANSWER:

Prasad,

It is a little high. Hypertension is considered to be present when a persons systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater.

While elevated blood pressure alone is not an illness, it often requires treatment due to its effects on many organs. The risk is especially increased for:

  • Stroke

Treatment includes

  • Lifestyle modification with weight reduction and regular aerobic exercise are recommended as the first steps in treating mild to moderate hypertension.
  • Reducing salt in your diet is proven very effective: it decreases blood pressure in about 60% of people. Many people choose to use a salt substitute to reduce their salt intake.
  • A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low fat or fat-free dairy foods.
  • Stop smoking and limit the use of alcohol.
  • Medications. Evidence suggests that reduction of the blood pressure by 5-6 mmHg can decrease the risk of Stroke by 40%, of Coronary Artery Disease by 15-20%.

Hope this helps,

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Prehypertension: A Little Too Much Pressure A Lot Of Trouble

Everyone needs some blood pressure so that blood can get to all of the bodys organs. But how much is enough? How much is too much?

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer, because it usually doesn’t cause symptoms. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It points to a higher risk of having heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Doctors have known for a long time that blood pressure that is too high can cause these problems. But now doctors know that if it is even a little too high, it should be noticed.

When you visit a doctor for your annual checkup, your blood pressure will be taken. Blood pressure is measured by a machine with a band wrapped around your arm. The measure will tell if the blood pressure is normal, low, high, or somewhere in between. It is considered prehypertension when it doesnt quite reach the level of high blood pressure, but it is higher than normal.

Prehypertension can serve as an early warning for patients and doctors. It is a sign of possible changes that could lead to heart disease. The pressure caused by constant prehypertension can change blood vessels and the heart in a damaging way. Prehypertension can also stress the kidneys.

A single blood pressure reading does not predict heart and blood vessel disease . You won’t be diagnosed with hypertension or prehypertension until it is high on several occasions. A blood pressure reading higher than normal will need to be carefully monitored.

What Can Help Bring Down Blood Pressure Quickly

There are several lifestyle and diet changes you can make today that can immediately help lower your blood pressure, including:

  • Add potassium-rich foods, like leafy greens and bananas. These naturally lower the pressure within the body and help you excrete sodium.
  • Learn to effectively manage stress with meditation, yoga, hobbies, recreational therapy, exposure to green and blue space, and so forth.
  • Pick up dark chocolate, which has flavonoids that relax blood vessels.
  • Cayenne pepper is a natural vasodilator and very effective at lowering blood pressure immediately.
  • Fish oil, garlic, and hibiscus tea are natural supplements with an extensive history in lowering blood pressure.

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What Is High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is defined as the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure also known as hypertension is a disease in which blood flows through blood vessels at a higher than normal pressure.

Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The first, or top number, is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats, called the systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the higher of the two numbers. The second, or bottom number, measures the force of blood in your arteries while your heart is relaxed between beats. The bottom number is the lower of the two and is called the diastolic pressure.

Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away. A reading this high is considered hypertensive crisis.

Readings between 120/80 and 129/89 are considered pre-hypertension. People with pre-hypertension do not have blood pressure as low as it should be but are not yet considered to have high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Checks During Pregnancy

How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

If you are pregnant, you should have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, even if it is not high.

Watching your blood pressure while you are pregnant reduces your risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can lead to a serious condition called pre-eclampsia where there is a problem with the placenta .

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What Numbers Mean High Blood Pressure What Numbers Mean Normal Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure is at or under 120 over 80.

In November 2017, blood pressure guidelines were modified. Any blood pressure measurement at or above 130 over 80 is now considered high. And thats what we in the medical community call hypertension. These numbers are down from the old recommendation of 140 over 90.

In the past, many people in the United States were considered prehypertension. The new recommendations get rid of that category, and now almost half of U.S. adults fall into the category of hypertension. That could seem shocking. But patients who are in this category should already be discussing their blood pressure numbers with their primary care doctor. If they arent, now is a good time to connect with their medical provider and come up with a plan for treatment.

How Is It Treated

For most people, the goal is to reduce the blood pressure to less than 140/90. If you have diabetes or kidney disease, the goal is less than 130/80 mm Hg.

If your blood pressure is above normal , you may be able to bring it down to a normal level without medicine. Weight loss, changes in your diet, and exercise may be the only treatment you need. If you also have diabetes, you may need additional treatment.

If these lifestyle changes do not lower your blood pressure enough, your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine. Some of the types of medicines that can help are diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and vasodilators. These medicines work in different ways. Many people need to take 2 or more medicines to bring their blood pressure down to a healthy level.

When you start taking medicine, it is important to:

  • Take the medicine regularly, exactly as prescribed.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects right away.
  • Have regular follow-up visits with your healthcare provider.

It may not be possible to know at first which drug or mix of drugs will work best for you. It may take several weeks or months to find the best treatment for you.

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What To Do If Your Blood Pressure Reading Is 140/90

A blood pressure reading of 140/90 can be cause for concern. The first step is to take another reading to confirm your blood pressure.

As an aside, home blood pressure monitors are amazingly affordable and great way to stay on top of your blood pressure. So invest in your health and check out .

Elevated blood pressure should be confirmed on at least 3 separate days before diagnosing hypertension.

Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range may indicate the need to adjust your blood pressure medications.

Once you have been assessed by a medical professional there are a number of ways you can address a blood pressure reading of 140/90.

And Why Should This All Matter To You

High blood pressure standard has been reduced from 140/90 to 130/80

Mountains of research over time have shown a very clear link between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. A 20-point higher systolic blood pressure or a 10-point higher diastolic blood pressure is associated with double your risk of death from a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular complication . What many people dont realize is that those who survive these events find their lives permanently altered by disability and medical complications.

Much is being made of the fact that the new definitions of high blood pressure will mean roughly half of all US citizens will be considered to have high blood pressure, but when you really look at the numbers, as cardiologists already have, not that many more people will actually be advised to take medications. Although the public has good reason to be suspicious of “big pharma,” thats not what this is about.

Diet and lifestyle changes are powerful medicine. Even if your blood pressure is normal now, you can help to prevent it from becoming elevated starting today. Eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and limit foods high in sodium and unhealthy fats. Be as physically active as possible.

There is a lot more in the very long, detailed executive summary, including specific guidance for various populations, myriad diseases, and special circumstances, but this is the gist of it. The document is free, and available here.

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Rates Of High Blood Pressure Control Vary By Sex And Race

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is common however, certain groups of people are more likely to have control over their high blood pressure than others.

  • A greater percent of men have high blood pressure than women .3
  • High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic black adults than in non-Hispanic white adults , non-Hispanic Asian adults , or Hispanic adults .3
  • Among those recommended to take blood pressure medication, blood pressure control is higher among non-Hispanic white adults than in non-Hispanic black adults , non-Hispanic Asian adults , or Hispanic adults .3

What Do The Blood Pressure Numbers Mean

When blood pressure is measured, the result is given as two numbers, such as 120/80. The first number is the amount of force used when the heart beats . The second number is the pressure in the arteries between heart beats . Pressures are measured in millimeters of mercury . High blood pressure is defined as pressures above 140/90 for a period of time. Prehypertension is defined as a systolic pressure from 120139 millimeters of mercury or a diastolic pressure from 8089 mm Hg. Because blood pressure changes often, your health care provider will check it on several different days before deciding whether your blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is considered high when it is elevated above 140/90 for a period of time. For people with chronic kidney disease, the recommended level is below 130/80.

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