If you're 60 or older, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend you start treatment if your top blood pressure number is 130 or higher. 140/90 or higher (stage 2 hypertension): You probably need medication.
When is the worst time to take your blood pressure?
What time of day is blood pressure highest? In the middle of the afternoon. To detect any abnormal blood pressure fluctuation, monitor it at home on your own.
What is the best position for taking blood pressure?
- Have the patient seated comfortably
- Give them 3-5 minutes to relax
- Make sure their feet are on the floor and their legs are not crossed
- Raise their arm above heart level
- Ask them to remain quiet
- Take their blood pressure
What are the steps in taking blood pressure?
Step 9: Listen for the Diastolic Pressure
- At around 80 mmHg, your partner’s pulse will fade.
- Record the pressure reading when the pulse is no longer audible. ...
- Once you have a diastolic reading, turn the screw on the pump bulb counterclockwise to open the airflow valve and quickly release the rest of the air in the cuff.
What to expect when you start taking blood pressure medicine?
The Diagnosis
- If your blood pressure is 120/80 or lower, you have a normal blood pressure .
- A systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 and a diastolic pressure of between 80 and 89 indicates that you have prehypertension — you need to work on getting your ...
- A blood pressure of 140/90 or more means you have hypertension. ...
When should blood pressure medicine be started?
In the general population of adults 60 years and older, pharmacologic treatment should be initiated when the systolic pressure is 150 mm Hg or higher, or when the diastolic pressure is 90 mm Hg or higher.
At what point does high blood pressure need to be treated?
A blood pressure measurement higher than 180/120 mm Hg is an emergency situation that requires urgent medical care. If you get this result when you take your blood pressure at home, wait five minutes and retest. If your blood pressure is still this high, contact your doctor immediately.
Does 140/90 require medication?
140/90 or higher (stage 2 hypertension): You probably need medication. At this level, your doctor is likely to prescribe medicine now to get your blood pressure under control. At the same time, you'll also need to make lifestyle changes. If you ever have blood pressure that's 180/120 or above, it's an emergency.
Does stage 1 hypertension require medication?
If you have stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension, your doctor will likely prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure and recommend healthy lifestyle changes.
Why do doctors take blood pressure readings?
Because blood pressure normally varies during the day and may increase during a doctor visit (white coat hypertension), your doctor will likely take several blood pressure readings at three or more separate appointments before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.
How to control high blood pressure?
Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy foods. Get plenty of potassium, which can help prevent and control high blood pressure. Eat less saturated fat and trans fat.
What is elevated blood pressure?
Elevated blood pressure is a systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 129 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure below (not above) 80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure tends to get worse over time unless steps are taken to control blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure may also be called prehypertension. Stage 1 hypertension.
What to do if you have chest pain?
If you also have chest pain, vision problems, numbness or weakness, breathing difficulty, or any other signs and symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency medical number. Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. But after age 50, the systolic reading is even more important.
What does blood pressure measure?
A blood pressure reading, as shown in the blood pressure monitor in the image, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats (systolic pressure) in the first number, and the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats (diastolic pressure) in the second number.
Why do doctors ask you to record your blood pressure?
Your doctor may ask you to record your blood pressure at home to provide additional information and confirm if you have high blood pressure.
What happens if your blood pressure is high?
If your blood pressure remains stubbornly high despite taking at least three different types of high blood pressure drugs, one of which usually should be a diuretic, you may have resistant hypertension.
What is the best way to reduce blood pressure?
Diuretics . Diuretics , sometimes called water pills, help the kidneys get rid of excess water and salt (sodium). This reduces the volume of blood that needs to pass through the blood vessels. As a result, blood pressure goes down. There are three major types of diuretics defined by how they work.
What is a normal blood pressure reading?
A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg. When you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, your reading is consistently in a higher range. High blood pressure treatment typically involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to help you manage the condition and prevent or delay related health problems.
What is the systolic pressure of a person with hypertension?
Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is present once the systolic pressure is 130 or higher, or the diastolic pressure is 80 or higher.
What is considered high blood pressure?
The goal is to get your blood pressure below the high range. If normal is less than 120/80 mm Hg, what’s high? When the systolic blood pressure — the top number — is between 120 and 129, and the diastolic blood pressure — the bottom number — is less than 80, this is considered elevated blood pressure.
What is the purpose of beta blockers?
Beta-blockers help the heart to beat with less speed and force. The heart pumps less blood through the blood vessels with each beat, so blood pressure decreases. There are many drugs within this classification, including:
Can lifestyle changes help with high blood pressure?
Some people find that lifestyle changes alone are enough to control their high blood pressure. But many also take medication to treat their condition. There are many different types of blood pressure medications with different modes of action.
Can children take blood pressure medication?
Children may take the same blood pressure medications as adults when necessary. For children with secondary hypertension, blood pressure often returns to normal once the underlying condition is treated.
What is the blood pressure threshold?
Traditionally, the threshold for high blood pressure has been set at 140 mmHg systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading).
When were the guidelines for a syringe released?
The guidelines were published Jan. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine and the Annals of Family Medicine.
What is the recommended mmhg for a healthy person over 60?
Marzo said that for healthy people over 60, the 150 mmHg target may be appropriate. But he also agreed with the guidelines that "a lower goal of under 140 mmHg may be preferred for adults with known cardiovascular disease, such as a prior stroke or heart attack, or significant risk factors for heart disease ."
What is the recommended blood pressure for a 60 year old?
If you're 60 or older, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend you start treatment if your top blood pressure number is 130 or higher .
What is the stage 1 blood pressure?
130/80 to 139/89 (stage 1 hypertension): You might need medication. These numbers qualify as high blood pressure and you need to take action. But your doctor will probably suggest that you try out lifestyle changes first before adding drugs -- unless you have other health problems.
What does the top number mean in blood pressure?
The top number tells you the pressure when your heart squeezes. The bottom number lets you know when your heart relaxes. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 and less than 80. If one or both of those numbers is higher, there's too much pressure in your arteries. It's like a tire pumped with too much air.
Why do people take medicine?
Some people choose to take medicine because they're concerned about the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Others don't like the idea of going on daily medication or worry about the side effects. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons, and be open about how you feel. Keep Track of Your Blood Pressure.
How to reduce high blood pressure?
You're on the path to high blood pressure, so make some changes to your lifestyle. Cut down on salt and alcohol, get more exercise, and drop pounds if you're overweight.
Do you have other reasons your chances of heart attacks or strokes are higher?
Do you have other reasons your chances of heart attacks or strokes are higher? For example, are you African-American? Are you a man? Do you have a family history of heart attacks or strokes at young ages? Are you overweight? Do you smoke? Each one of these raises your odds of heart disease. The more of these situations you have, the more likely your doctor will prescribe high blood pressure medicine.
Is blood pressure 180/120 an emergency?
At the same time, you'll also need to make lifestyle changes. If you ever have blood pressure that's 180/120 or above, it's an emergency. You need medical help right away to get it under control. Other Questions to Ask.
How many classes of drugs are there for hypertension?
Current guidelines advise about five classes of drugs that physicians can choose from as the first line of treatment for hypertension, but what are the criteria underpinning this range?
How many adverse events could have been prevented if the physicians had prescribed thiazide diuretics instead of?
Finally, the authors estimate that 3,100 adverse cardiovascular events could have been prevented if the physicians had prescribed thiazide diuretics instead of ACE inhibitors.
What to do if lifestyle changes aren't enough to control blood pressure?
If making lifestyle changes isn't enough to control your blood pressure, your doctor will likely prescribe blood pressure medication. You may be given one or more of these medications:
How to keep blood pressure under control?
But you might need medication too. Taking your medications as prescribed, monitoring your blood pressure and making lifestyle changes can help you reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
What is the best medicine for a relaxed heart?
Alpha blockers. Alpha blockers prevent the hormone norepinephrine (noradrenaline) from tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins, which causes the vessels to remain open and relaxed. Commonly prescribed alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress) and terazosin.
What is the best medication to relax the arteries?
Calcium channel blockers. These medications prevent calcium from entering the cells of your heart and arteries, allowing your arteries to relax and open.
How to control high blood pressure?
Try these lifestyle changes to help lower and control your blood pressure. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. ...
Can medication help with blood pressure?
In most cases, a combination of lifestyle changes and medication can help you successfully control your blood pressure. However, it's not unusual to try several medications or doses before finding what works best for you.
Is it better to take two medications or one?
Combining two drugs usually works better than a single drug to get your blood pressure under control. Sometimes additional medication is needed to achieve your blood pressure goal.
How Long Does It Take to Lower Blood Pressure?
If you have severe symptoms from high blood pressure, your doctor will probably have you admitted to the hospital, where you can receive medications that can lower your blood pressure almost immediately , but this isn't really a good long-term strategy.
How long does it take for blood pressure to go down?
Both prescription medications and lifestyle changes can help lower your blood pressure, but both can take weeks or months to fully take effect. There is no quick fix for high blood pressure, especially if you have other cardiovascular problems. Talk to your doctor early about your risks and make sure to get regular health screenings.
What is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure?
Systolic blood pressure —the top number in a blood pressure measurement—is the amount of pressure blood exerts on your artery walls with each heartbeat. Diastolic blood pressure —the bottom number—is the amount of pressure blood puts on your arteries between beats when the heart is at rest. 1
How does blood pressure medication work?
Most medications you will be given to address blood pressure will work gradually over time. Some change the levels of different essential minerals, or electrolytes—like sodium or potassium—in your body. Others, like beta-blockers, can lower your heart rate and reduce the workload placed on your heart. In time, this can also lead to a reduction in your blood pressure. Ace inhibitors are another class of blood pressure medications, and these work by relaxing narrowed arteries so it's easier for blood to flow through them. 2
What happens when your heart has to pump blood through narrowed or blocked arteries with more force?
High blood pressure (hypertension) develops when your heart has to pump blood through narrowed or blocked arteries with more force. As blood is pumped with more force, the pressure on the walls of your arteries increases, which can lead to serious damage throughout your body. 1
How to prevent high blood pressure?
Lifestyle changes can help prevent high blood pressure from developing, but once you are diagnosed with hypertension your treatment is likely to involve a combination of both lifestyle changes and medications.
What are the factors that increase blood pressure?
There are lifestyle factors that can increase your blood pressure—including obesity, a high-salt diet, and smoking. Modifying the risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure is another strategy that is usually used alongside medications to lower your blood pressure and prevent further cardiovascular disease. 3
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Changing your lifestyle can help control and manage high blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend that you make lifestyle changes including: 1. Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt 2. Getting regular physical activity 3. Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you're overweight or obese 4. Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink Bu...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Lifestyle changes can help you control and prevent high blood pressure, even if you're taking blood pressure medication. Here's what you can do: 1. Eat healthy foods.Eat a heart-healthy diet. Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy foods. Get plenty of potassium, which ca…
Alternative Medicine
- Although diet and exercise are the most appropriate tactics to lower your blood pressure, some supplements also may help lower it. However, more research is needed to determine the potential benefits. These supplements include: 1. Fiber, such as blond psyllium and wheat bran 2. Minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium 3. Folic acid 4. Supplements or products that incre…
Coping and Support
- High blood pressure isn't a problem that you can treat and then ignore. It's a condition you need to manage for the rest of your life. To keep your blood pressure under control: 1. Take your medications properly.If side effects or costs pose problems, don't stop taking your medications. Ask your doctor about other options. 2. Schedule regular doctor visits.It takes a team effort to tr…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your doctor to have your blood pressure checked. No special preparations are necessary to have your blood pressure checked. You might want to wear a short-sleeved shirt to your appointment so that the blood pressure cuff can fit around your arm properly. Avoid eating, drinking caffeinated beverages an…