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What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force applied by the blood to the inner walls of the arteries. There can be minor fluctuations throughout the day—declining while relaxing and momentarily increasing while being excited or under stress. An increase in resting blood pressure can scar, stiffen, or harden the arteries. If you have high blood pressure or risk factors for it, it is important to understand the blood pressure chart and ways to lower your blood pressure. The different blood pressure levels and hypertension (high blood pressure) are shown in the chart below: Table: Blood pressure levels include a normal and high chart Blood pressure levels Systolic (mm Hg) Diastolic (mm Hg)Normal blood pressure Less than 120 Less than 80 Elevated blood pressure or prehypertension Between 120 to 129 Less than 80 Stage 1 hypertension Between 130 to 139 Between 80 to 89 Stage 2 hypertension 140 or higher 90 or higher Hypertensive crisis Higher than 180 Higher than 120 What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?
High blood pressure or hypertension affects 122 million Americans. It is often called “the silent killer” because as many as 16 million Americans are unaware they have the condition. Untreated hypertension can increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure occurs due to the tightening of very small blood vessels called arterioles. As a result, the heart has to pump harder to overcome the resistance in the narrowed blood vessel bed. This leads to elevated pressure inside the vessels. High blood pressure or hypertension is when readings consistently range from 140 or higher for systolic or 90 or higher for diastolic. Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are dangerously high and require immediate medical attention. High blood pressure is more likely to cause the following:
How to lower blood pressure quickly If you face any complications of high blood pressure such as a stroke or heart attack, contact your physician immediately. Do not attempt home remedies to lower blood pressure in such grave situations. If you have high blood pressure (hypertension) without complications, ask your doctor if the following stress reduction techniques are appropriate for you. The first thing to do to lower blood pressure fast is to calm down and lie flat. Leave aside the task you were engaged in and slowly start taking deep breaths. This stress-relieving technique may help lower blood pressure to a certain extent. In addition to deep breathing exercises, other methods that may help reduce stress and lower blood pressure include: taking a short walk, acupuncture, drinking hibiscus tea, and getting some sun. If calming techniques don't help, consult a physician immediately. Additionally, take your antihypertensive medications for high blood pressure that is uncontrolled by lifestyle changes and diet. Medication is the main option for treating high blood pressure. There are also many natural ways to maintain healthy blood pressure in the long run. As blood pressure improves with lifestyle modifications, medications can be withdrawn gradually. Medications in combination with a healthy diet reduce the risk of a stroke, a heart attack, and other complications. How to lower your blood pressure immediately without medication There are a few tips you can try to lower your blood pressure immediately without medication: These methods may only provide temporary relief and are not a substitute for medical treatment for high blood pressure. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, speak with a healthcare provider. They can recommend a treatment plan that is appropriate for you.
How do you get the bottom blood pressure number down? When it comes to blood pressure readings, the top number is called systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of your arteries when your heart is pumping blood and diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is filling with blood and is in a relaxed state. To get your diastolic blood pressure to go down, you can't target it alone. You will need to work on getting your overall blood pressure lower. 13 ways to lower your blood pressure Here are 13 heart-healthy lifestyle practices that can help prevent high blood pressure and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Maintain a healthy weight Reduce central obesity Stay physically active Quit smoking Get enough sleep Lack of sleep increases your chances of developing health conditions that cause high blood pressure. Aim for 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night. Manage stress Eat heart-healthy foods Include heart-healthy foods in your diet such as: Spinach Broccoli Carrots Apples Oranges Bananas Whole grains Nuts Beans Tofu Fat-free or low-fat dairy products Eggs Fatty fish Lean meat Skinless chicken or turkey Eggs Stay away from saturated and trans fats Reduce your sodium intake Keep an eye on how much salt you eat, since salt can increase blood pressure. Limit salt intake to 1,500 milligrams or less per day. Avoid packaged, processed foods that typically contain more sodium. Most Americans consume about 3,400 mg of sodium a day, whereas the recommended daily intake of sodium is 2,300 mg with an optimal limit of less than 1,500 mg for those with high blood pressure. Increase your potassium intake Potassium can counteract the effects of sodium on blood pressure. Include potassium-rich foods in your daily diet, like bananas and spinach. Avoid too much sugar Avoid foods and drinks that contain added sugars, like soft drinks, cakes, pastries, cookies, and candies. Cut back or eliminate caffeine and alcohol consumption Caffeine can increase blood pressure. If you are suffering from high blood pressure already, avoid anything containing caffeine before exercising. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. Avoid binge drinking. Consumption of 5 or more drinks by men, or 4 or more drinks by women, in one single occasion is defined as binge drinking. In addition to driving blood pressure up, binge drinking is associated with many other chronic diseases and risks such as alcohol poisoning, accidental injuries, and violence. If you are healthy, follow these general guidelines for alcohol drinking: Men: no more than 2 drinks per day Women: no more than 1 drink per day Take medications as prescribed Take your blood pressure medications as prescribed. To avoid skipping them by accident, set reminders on your phone to make sure you take them on time. Consult with your healthcare provider if your blood pressure remains high despite following a healthy lifestyle, and taking your medications. You may need a change in your treatment plan. Health News
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about lowering blood pressure How to cure high blood pressure in 3 minutesIf you have a sudden spike in blood pressure, stop all physical activity, drink some water, lie down flat, and take conscious deep breaths to make yourself calm. If your blood pressure does not come down in a few minutes, contact your physician immediately. How to bring down blood pressure directlyThe first step to lower blood pressure quickly is to keep calm and lie down. If you are taking treatment for hypertension, take your usual medication at the scheduled time. If you have already taken your medication and your blood pressure stays high, contact your physician promptly. Does drinking water lower blood pressure?Yes, dehydration can raise blood pressure and drinking water can help lower it. Can I lower blood pressure by losing weight?Weight loss is a primary step in the control of high blood pressure. If you are overweight or obese, losing even a few pounds can lower your blood pressure and have a beneficial impact on overall health. What are three easy exercises to lower blood pressure immediately?Deep breathing exercises, a gentle walk, or mild stretching exercises are three easy exercises to do that can help lower blood pressure immediately. What are some natural ways to lower blood pressure?Some natural ways you can follow to lower blood pressure: What foods lower blood pressure?Foods rich in potassium can lower blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods include: Fruits such as bananas, melons, avocadoes, oranges, and apricots Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale Vegetables such as potatoes and sweet potatoes Lima Beans Fat-free yogurt Tuna and salmon Mushrooms Beans Nuts and seeds What are the other ways to lower blood pressure?Other measures you can follow to control your blood pressure: Regularly monitor blood pressure at home to make sure it is normal. Monitoring at home also helps avoid unnecessary doctor visits and stress that may occur in a clinical setting. However, do not miss your regular health check-ups with your healthcare provider. Take your antihypertensive medications on time. Set an alarm to avoid forgetting, if necessary. Seek prompt medical treatment if home measures fail to control your blood pressure within a short time.
Medically Reviewed on 4/1/2024 References
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/what-is-high-blood-pressure |
