What’s Considered High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is measured in mm Hg with two numbers. The top number indicates the force of your blood when your heart is beating, and the bottom number indicates the force of your blood when your heart is resting between beats.
Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure is diagnosed when your systolic value is above 130 mm Hg, your diastolic value is over 80 mm Hg, or both values are higher than these.
Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss your blood pressure values and whether you should be concerned. If your numbers are high, your provider will likely discuss treatment options with you.
Stroke And Brain Problems
High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.
Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Healths Mind Your Risks® campaign.
Hypertensive Crisis: When You Should Call 911 For High Blood Pressure
A hypertensive crisis is when blood pressure rises quickly and severely with readings of 180/120 or greater.
The consequences of uncontrolled blood pressure in this range can be severe and include:
- Pulmonary edema
An elevated reading may or may not be accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
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Is High Blood Pressure Considered Heart Disease
High blood pressure is not considered a type of heart disease, but it does play a major role in the development of heart disease.
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors someone can have for developing heart disease.
High blood pressure can also lead to other health complications, including erectile dysfunction, vision loss, and kidney failure.
Continue reading to learn how high blood pressure affects your body the heart in particular and what things can raise your chances of developing high blood pressure.
about half of all adults in the United States. It can develop for a number of reasons and there are several ways high blood pressure can cause damage inside the body.
As the volume and pressure of blood flow throughout your blood vessels increase, they begin to narrow. This causes the blood pressure to increase even more. Over time, all of this increased pressure stretches and weakens blood vessels.
When high blood pressure persists for a long time without attempts to manage it, the weakened blood vessels become less effective at moving blood throughout the body. This can have a negative effect on the heart. Weaker blood vessels make the heart work harder to pump blood, leading to issues like heart failure.
Additionally, stiffer, weaker blood vessels can easily become clogged with plaques over time, restricting blood flow even more.
What Causes High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can also happen during pregnancy.
You can manage your blood pressure to lower your risk for serious health problems that may affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
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About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above.
The line between normal and raised blood pressure is not fixed and depends on your individual circumstances. However, most doctors agree that the ideal blood pressure for a physically healthy person is around 120/80mmHg.
A normal blood pressure reading is classed as less than 130/80mmHg.
You Shouldn’t Ignore White Coat Hypertension
Some people experience white coat hypertension, when blood pressure is elevated in the doctor’s office but not in other settings. These patients need to monitor their blood pressure at home or wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor that takes your blood pressure every 30 minutes for 24 hours.
While white coat hypertension was formerly considered simple nervousness, recent research suggests otherwise.
A study published in the journal Hypertension found that people with white coat hypertension are at a significantly greater risk for developing sustained high blood pressure than people who have normal blood pressure. One possible explanation is that people with white coat hypertension have a harder time managing stress and anxiety.
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Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease:
Based on the results of the study, people with grade 2 and 3 hypertension who consumed two or more cups of coffee per day had double the risk of cardiovascular-related death compared to those without coffee consumption .
As a result of these findings, it could be concluded that people with severe high blood pressure should refrain from drinking excessive amounts of coffee.
Hypertension: Is It Risky To Drink Black Coffee What Is The Safe Amount
An adult’s blood pressure is measured by the force exerted by the blood against the blood vessels. The normal blood pressure for an adult is 120/80 mmHg, and any deviation from this is considered unhealthy. Hypotension occurs when your blood pressure decreases, whereas hypertension occurs when your blood pressure rises to unhealthy levels .
The condition occurs when your blood pressure rises to unhealthy levels, and is a common health problem. There are typically no symptoms associated with hypertension, but it usually develops over a number of years.
Hypertension, however, can cause damage to your blood vessels and organs, especially the brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys, even in the absence of any symptoms.
Those with high blood pressure can benefit from a diet that minimizes added salts and sugars and restricts the consumption of red meat, processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol.
Accordingly, a recent study found that excessive coffee consumption is associated with an increased mortality rate in people with severe hypertension .
Find out more about hypertension: is it risky to drink black coffee?
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High Blood Pressure Treatment
The best way to lower blood pressure begins with changes you can make to your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure. These are called antihypertensive medicines.
The goal of treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels. Your doctor may prescribe medicine thats easy to take and has few, if any, side effects. This treatment is highly successful. If your blood pressure can only be controlled with medicine, youll need to take the medicine for the rest of your life. It is common to need more than one medicine to help control your blood pressure. Dont stop taking the medicine without talking with your doctor. Otherwise, you may increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
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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What Questions Should I Ask My Provider
- Are there supplements or non-prescription medicines that I shouldnt take?
- Can I keep taking these medicines if I get pregnant?
- What kinds of exercise should I do?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you dont treat high blood pressure, it can put you at risk for developing serious illnesses later in life such as heart attack, kidney failure and stroke. But if you follow your providers instructions, you can manage your blood pressure. Be sure to take any medicines your provider ordered as instructed. Keep taking them even if your blood pressure numbers begin to fall into the normal range. Living a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, watching your weight and getting regular exercise is also a great way to help manage your blood pressure.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/21/2021.
References
- American College of Cardiology. New ACC/AHA High Blood Pressure Guidelines Lower Definition of Hypertension. Accessed 9/20/2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High Blood Pressure. Accessed 9/20/2021.
- Food and Drug Administration. High Blood Pressure : Medicines to Help You. Accessed 9/20/2021.
- JNC 8 Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension in Adults. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Oct 1 90:503-504. aafp.org. Accessed 9/20/2021.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. High Blood Pressure. Accessed 9/20/2021.
Complementary Lifestyle Changes To Try
Medications, herbs, and supplements aren’t the only options that may help support normal blood pressure. Blood pressure and heart health also depend on everyday lifestyle habits like these:
- Enjoy regular physical activities, like running, swimming, walking, strength training, playing tennis, or dancing. Aim for 30 minutes per day.
- Eat more minimally processed and plant-based foods. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are packed with fiber and nutrients without added sugar and unhealthy fats. Good nutrition helps support heart health, including normal blood pressure management.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Both of these habits have been shown to increase blood pressure.
- Get more restful sleep to help lower stress.
- Monitor your blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure cuffs can be purchased at many stores and used in addition to regular wellness checks.
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Should I Be Concerned About My Hypertension Stage 2 Blood Pressure Status
Your blood pressures overall status comes in as being hypertension stage 2 in general, it also registers in the same blood pressure band on the ACC/AHA hypertension scale, which was last revised in 2017.
Your blood pressure is unhealthily high. You ought to be seeking medical advice to see what your doctor recommends for your hypertension, as you may be prescribed high blood pressure medicine to treat it if you do not already take any. The further up into the hypertension stage 2 band you are, the more likely your doctor will suggest an ambulatory blood pressure monitor to be worn, typically for a 6 or 24 hour period to determine you average reading throughout the day or night.
It is unlikely that you would recognise any symptoms yet, which only tend to manifest themselves at extremely high blood pressures, which is why high blood pressure is known as the, silent killer. It is recommended that you take numerous readings over different days to generate a consistent average reading, which can be easily done with one of the many cost effective blood pressure monitors available to buy for home measurements. You should also get your blood pressure checked at your doctors or a pharmacy in the next few days and see how the readings compare.
There are several recommended lifestyle changes you might still be able to make but seek the advice of your doctor first, for example:
Reduce Alcohol Intake and Quit Vaping or Smoking
Monitor Your Weight
Eat Healthily
Diagnosing High Blood Pressure
The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your GP when you are next due for yours to be checked.
Before having your blood pressure taken, you should rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder. To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you should be sitting down and not talking when the reading is taken.
Having one high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can change throughout the day. Feeling anxious or stressed when you visit your GP can raise your blood pressure .
Therefore, your GP will need to take several readings over a set period of time, usually every month, to see whether your blood pressure level is consistently high.
Blood and urine tests may also be carried out in order to check for conditions that are known to cause an increase in blood pressure, such as kidney infections.
You may also be given a blood pressure device to take home so that you can record your blood pressure level throughout the day. This also helps to identify white coat syndrome and therefore helps to identify the best treatment options for you.
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Heart Attack And Heart Disease
High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:
- Chest pain, also called angina.
- Heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
- Heart failure, a condition that means your heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.
What Should I Do If I Have High Blood Pressure
If your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with high blood pressure, they will talk with you about your recommended blood pressure target or goal. They may suggest that you:
- Check your blood pressure regularly with a home blood pressure monitor. These are automated electronic monitors and are available at most pharmacies or online.
- Eat healthy foods that are low in salt and fat.
- Reach and maintain your best body weight.
- Limit alcohol to no more than two drinks each day for men and less than one drink each day for women. One drink is defined as 1 ounce of alcohol, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer.
- Be more physically active.
- Quit smoking and/or using tobacco products.
- Work on managing anger and managing stress.
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What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure In Women
High blood pressure, also known as HBP or hypertension, is widely misunderstood and is called the silent killer because there can often be no symptoms. We often assume it affects those who are type-A personalities, tense and aggressive. But the truth is, it has nothing to do with personality traits. In fact, you can be the most relaxed, calm person and still suffer from HBP.
What’s The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:
- coronary heart disease – where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
- strokes – a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
- heart attacks – a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked
Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.
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High Blood Pressure And Older Adults
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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health problem that is common in older adults. Your bodys network of blood vessels, known as the vascular system, changes with age. Arteries get stiffer, causing blood pressure to go up. This can be true even for people who have heart-healthy habits and feel just fine. High blood pressure, sometimes called “the silent killer,” often doesn’t cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. Though high blood pressure affects nearly half of all adults, many may not even be aware they have it.
If high blood pressure isn’t controlled with lifestyle changes and medication, it can lead to serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease , vascular dementia, eye problems, and kidney disease. The good news is that blood pressure can be controlled in most people.
Drink Alcohol In Moderation
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.
Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:
- 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
- 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.
A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.
More about drinking alcohol reponsibly
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When Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous
High blood pressure is always dangerous because it can cause great damage to your body over time without you experiencing symptoms.
Hypertension affects the arteries and can cause them to lose their flexibility and limit blood flow throughout the body. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, aneurysm, internal bleeding. Also, it can cause coronary artery disease, kidney failure, vision disturbances, dementia, and strokes.
Because symptoms of high blood pressure are rare, half of the people with undiagnosed or untreated hypertension die of heart disease. Another third suffer strokes can that be life-threatening. Getting checked and following up on elevated blood pressure numbers can really reduce the chances of these serious issues and allow for a longer, healthier life.