People may not think about their blood pressure until they get a diagnosis.
This diagnosis can feel scary.
It can get more confusing when the doctor starts talking about stages.
But understanding your high blood pressure is key. Knowing your numbers helps you think of steps for supporting your health.
Nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension.
But many have no clue how high their blood pressure is or that something is wrong.
Decoding Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure means your heart works harder than it should.
It takes more effort to move your blood through your blood vessels.
Your systolic is the first or the top number of your blood pressure reading.
This number is a gauge of the force it takes to move the blood through the vessels.
The other half or bottom number of your blood pressure reading is your diastolic.
This number represents the space between heartbeats when your heart rests.
When this number is too high, it can mean your heart is working too hard and not resting enough.
This great article from VeryWell Health explains your systolic and diastolic numbers in-depth.
Learning about the stages of hypertension is crucial for taking steps to care for your health.
There are four stages of hypertension or high blood pressure.
The way doctors describe the four stages can be a bit confusing.
Always talk to your doctor if things aren’t clear to you.
Normal Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure for most people is around 120/80 or a bit lower.
But the terms for the stages of hypertension confuse many people.
Also, some doctors and websites consider a top number, or systolic, of 129 or lower to be normal.
This confusion may stem from recent changes in the guidelines.
Many people have normal blood pressure, but their numbers go up at the doctor’s office.
This is called white coat hypertension.
Your doctor will try to avoid this by checking your BP more than once.
The doctor may also check it in both arms.
You can prevent this problem with a few simple tips:
- Try taking your blood pressure at home each day in the week before your visit.
- Practice deep breathing at home before you check your blood pressure.
- While in the waiting room, you can also do deep breathing. Try to do at least three minutes of deep breathing before seeing the doctor.
- Try to avoid foods and drinks with caffeine before your visit. Caffeine can cause some people to feel anxious.
- Talk to your doctor if you do feel anxious.
Elevated Blood Pressure
Doctors consider blood pressure that stays high over time to be prehypertension.
Recent guidelines say that a systolic between 120 and 129 is high.
This is confusing since some resources do not agree on the top number range.
This guideline change scares many people who have normal blood pressure.
This may be your normal if you usually have a top number in this range.
But if you have had lower blood pressure for years and see a change, your doctor may want to follow up.
Don’t panic. Normal for everyone looks a bit different.
Your doctor will consider your current habits and activity.
At this stage, you have the power to make changes with lifestyle and activity choices.
Think about cutting back on high sodium foods and eating more fruits and vegetables.
You may not have to take medication yet.
But with elevated blood pressure, you are still at a higher risk for a stroke or a heart attack.
Your diastolic is still at 80 or below at the elevated or prehypertensive level.
As high blood pressure develops, the top number often rises before the bottom.
It also increases at a faster rate.
Check out the new high blood pressure guidelines with this article from Healthline.
Stage 1 Hypertension
Stage 1 hypertension means your top number is between 130 and 139, and your bottom number is between 80-89. Some call this stage moderate hypertension.
You are at a higher risk of health problems. Some of the risks are stroke, heart attack, and organ damage.
If you have stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may prescribe medications.
The goal is to lower your BP and risk of a health event.
But your doctor will also suggest a change in your diet and activity levels.
Stress can cause hypertension.
But many doctors do not talk to patients about managing stress even though this is a huge factor.
In fact, stress can cause short-term spikes in blood pressure and affect your health in the long term, too.
Dealing with stress when you already have hypertension can be very dangerous.
Read more about the link between stress and hypertension in this article from the Mayo Clinic.
Stage 2 Hypertension
Stage 2 hypertension is when your top number is over 140, and your bottom is over 90.
At this stage, you are more at risk of complications.
You are also more likely to have a sudden and severe event. Your doctor will likely prescribe at least two medications.
Changes in your eating and activity habits are a big help, too.
The doctor’s goal is to control your hypertension using several tools.
Your doctor will also check your blood pressure often and ask you to check it at home.
The Relationship Between Hypertension and Your Age
Normal BP numbers can vary by age and gender.
For example, normal BP for adult women under 40 is 110/68, and for men, it’s 119/70.
And as we age, the top number usually rises, while the bottom stays about the same.
Other things like race and ethnicity can be a factor. Check out VeryWell Health for a chart that goes more in-depth.
Knowing Your Numbers Is the First Step
Knowing your BP numbers gives you a place to start your health journey.
It’s vital to check in with your doctor often if your BP is high.
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Your health has great value, and knowledge is power!