Written and medically reviewed by Dorcas Morak, Pharm.D
Let's talk about blood pressure. It's a key measure of your heart health and shows how much force your blood puts on your blood vessel walls as it moves through your body. Activity, stress, and general health can impact your blood pressure. Knowing your levels is crucial for spotting potential health issues and figuring out how to manage them. Here's what you should know about it.
What is the Normal Blood Pressure Range?
Blood pressure readings have two components: systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure (top number) measures the force on artery walls during heartbeats, while diastolic pressure (bottom number) shows the pressure when the heart rests between beats. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that normal blood pressure is typically below 120/80 mmHg. Monitoring both pressures is crucial, especially systolic pressure, due to its link to stroke and cardiovascular disease risk.
Does Blood Pressure Vary by Age and Gender?
As individuals age, the risk of high blood pressure rises. Adults aged 19-40 typically have blood pressure ranging from 90-135/60-80 mmHg. Although men and women generally share similar ranges, factors like pregnancy, birth control, and menopause can affect women's blood pressure. Seniors, especially, are prone to isolated systolic hypertension, making regular monitoring and proactive management essential.
What is the High Blood Pressure Range?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health concern that affects nearly half of American adults. Hypertension is characterized by blood pressure readings of 120-129/<80 mmHg for elevated blood pressure and 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic for stage 1 hypertension. Management involves lifestyle changes and medication targeting different physiological pathways to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
What is the Low Blood Pressure Range?
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, introduces difficulties for people globally, risking insufficient tissue perfusion and organ dysfunction. Normal blood pressure is under 120/80 mmHg, and readings at or below 90/60 mmHg suggest hypotension. Symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and blurred vision can signal low blood pressure, requiring immediate assessment and treatment.
What are the Dangers of Excessively High and Low Blood Pressure?
High and low blood pressure levels can cause serious health issues and need immediate medical attention. Hypertensive crises, with readings above 180/120 mmHg, require urgent care to avoid stroke, heart attack, or organ damage. On the other hand, chronic low blood pressure may cause oxygen deprivation, fainting, and organ dysfunction if not addressed. Consistent blood pressure monitoring, following treatment plans, and making lifestyle changes are crucial for managing dangerous blood pressure fluctuations.
What are the Treatment Options to Normalize Blood Pressure?
To normalize or maintain healthy blood pressure, consider implementing the following lifestyle changes:
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit your intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and high-sodium foods. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is particularly recommended for lowering blood pressure.
- Reduce Sodium Intake: Aim to consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, and ideally no more than 1,500 mg for most adults, especially those with high blood pressure.
- Exercise Regularly: Engage in moderate to vigorous cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, for at least 150 minutes per week.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing even a small amount of weight if you are overweight or obese can help reduce your blood pressure. Aim for a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.
- Limit Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Men should limit their intake to two drinks per day, and women to one drink per day.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking increases your blood pressure and accelerates the development of heart and vascular diseases.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress may contribute to high blood pressure. Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and regular physical activity can help manage your stress levels.
By incorporating these changes into your daily routine, you can significantly improve your blood pressure levels and overall heart health. Often lifestyle changes aren’t enough and long-term prescription medication use is needed, commonly prescribed medications include:
- Beta-blockers, e.g., Atenolol (Tenormin), Metoprolol (Lopressor), and Propranolol (Inderal LA).
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, e.g., Captopril (Capoten), Lisinopril (Zestril), Perindopril (Aceon), and Ramipril (Altace).
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), e.g., Candesartan (Atacand), Losartan (Cozaar), Telmisartan (Micardis), and Valsartan (Diovan).
- Calcium channel blockers, e.g., Amlodipine (Norvasc), Nifedipine (Procardia), Nisoldipine (Sular), and Verapamil (Verelan).
- Diuretics like Aldactone (spironolactone), bumetanide (Bumex), hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix), and furosemide (Lasix).
These medications can be expensive and may cause financial stress. With RxLess, you can get your blood pressure medications at a far lower cost, making it easier to manage your blood pressure without breaking the bank.
