You might accidentally check the blood pressure (BP) and the heath care taker say: “your BP is normal”. What does that mean? After reading this article, I believe you can have brief knowledge about the blood pressure and to which level you are normal and also from which level of blood pressure you should start taking drugs.
Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by your blood vessel when your heart beat (systolic blood pressure) and between the heartbeats some pressure will remain due to elastic properties of your blood vessel (diastolic blood pressure).So, the blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg means systolic blood pressure is 120 whereas diastolic blood pressure is 80.Usually from school time many of us have in mind that 120/80 mmHg of blood pressure is normal and many of us also may misinterpreted like slightly increase let’s say 130/85 mmHg is high blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is in the rage not just the accurate value.
Normal systolic blood pressure: 90-140 mmHg
Normal diastolic blood pressure: 60- 90 mmHg
High blood pressure (hypertension) when systolic > 140mmHg and diastolic >90mmHg and it doesn’t mean that you should start drugs when you encounter such results. When to start taking antihypertensive drugs?
Blood pressure is so fluctuating; it changes with your every activity like walking, sitting, standing, eating and many more. For proper recording of the blood pressure it should be measure at least 5 min of rest and you need at least three recording of BP in different times to diagnose you are with high blood pressure.
Causes of hypertension more than 90% is genetic
Conditions to start the drugs in high blood pressure:
A hypertensive crisis is a severe increase in blood pressure systolic > 180mmHg and diastolic > 120mmHg this is the condition where your blood vessel may rupture causing hemorrhage to your brain. Such condition needs immediate emergency treatment in the hospital.
BP systolic 140- 159mmHg, Diastolic 90-99 mmHg: lifestyle modification in the beginning and later prescribe drug if BP is not controlled.
BP systolic >160mmHg and diastolic > 100 mmHg: lifestyle modification and drugs may be one or more according to the case
Note: doctor will prescribe you more than one drug to decrease blood pressure < 140/90mmHg
Review your BP reports 2-4 weeks to see the effects of lifestyle modification and effects of drugs.
Lifestyle modification includes:
- Stop smoking
- Lose weight
- Limit alcohol and caffeine
- Exercise
- Eat a healthy, low-sodium diet
- Reduce your stress levels
