What Is Considered High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure affects the body and brain in several ways. Keep reading to know what is considered high blood pressure to maintain your health.

Quick Summary

• High blood pressure/hypertension occurs when the systolic and diastolic readings are consistently above 120/80.
• Some people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms; others may have headaches, shortness of breath or dizziness.
• High blood pressure can damage your organs, such as your heart, brain, kidneys and eyes, if it’s not treated.

When it comes to blood pressure, what is considered “high” can vary depending on several factors. For example, someone older or with heart disease may have a different threshold for high blood pressure than someone who doesn’t have these risk factors.

In general, however, blood pressure readings of 120/80 mmHg or higher are considered high. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if your numbers are in a healthy range or if they need to be monitored more closely.

Keep reading to know more about different high blood pressure ranges.

High Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure measures the force exerted by blood on the walls of arteries. Normal blood pressure for an adult is below 120/80 mmHg.

That is a systolic reading of equal/less than 120 mmHg and a systolic and diastolic reading of less than 80 mmHg. Your BP is high when your systolic readings stay at or above 140 mmHg and diastolic readings stay at or above 90 mmHg.

High Blood Pressure Categories

Knowing which type of high blood pressure you have is important because it helps your doctor determine the best treatment for you.

Elevated blood pressure

Elevated blood pressure is when the pressure of the blood flow in your arteries is too high. It implies that your systolic BP is above 120-129 or your diastolic BP is above 80.

If you’re struggling with high blood pressure, the best you may do is make healthy changes to your diet and exercise routine. You may include the best blood pressure supplements to manage your health.

Besides, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, and try to get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily.

High blood pressure (stage 1)

High blood pressure (stage 1) is usually diagnosed when blood pressure readings are consistently above the normal range. Stage 1 hypertension is considered when your systolic BP is above 130-139, or your diastolic BP is above 80-89.

High blood pressure (stage 2)

Stage 2 high blood pressure is a stage in which the blood pressure is more elevated than 140/90 mmHg. This implies the higher the pressure, the harder your heart and vessels may need to work to pump blood through your body.

You may need prescribed medication and regular checks to maintain your health.

Hypertensive (stage 3)

Hypertensive stage 3 blood pressure is a serious condition that may lead to heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening health problems. It’s when your blood pressure readings are consistently at or above 180/110 mm HG.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension stage 3, it’s important to contact a medical professional.

Check our blood pressure chart for more details.

Blood Pressure Range According To Age Groups

Age definitely affects blood pressure, with older individuals typically having higher blood pressure than their younger counterparts. This is because the arteries tend to stiffen as we age, making it more challenging for the heart to pump blood through them.

Additionally, the kidneys tend to lose their ability to eliminate excess salt and water from the body, which causes blood pressure levels to rise.

• The normal blood pressure range for adults from 19-40 years is 95–135/60–80 mm Hg.
• For 41-60 years old adults, the normal BP should be 110-145/70-90 mm Hg.
• Lastly, older adults (61 and older) can have blood pressure anywhere from 95-145/70-90 mm Hg.    

Factors influencing high blood pressure

Many factors can influence high blood pressure, including diet, exercise, stress levels, and weight. Below are the most common ones:

• Eating a diet high in salt can increase blood pressure. Try to avoid processed foods and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables instead.
• Not getting enough activity/exercise can lead to weight gain and increase your risk of high blood pressure. Commit to at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
• Stress can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to spike, so finding ways to manage stress is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Some people find meditation, breathing exercises or yoga helpful for this purpose.
• Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for developing blood pressure issues.
• Some people are genetically predisposed to high blood pressure.

Effect Of High Blood Pressure On Body

There are a few ways in which high blood pressure can negatively affect the body. The most common way is by damaging the delicate tissues and organs that line the inside of your arteries.

When these tissues and organs are damaged, they can’t function as well as they should, leading to a host of health problems. High blood pressure may also lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke because it makes your heart work harder than it should have.

Over time, this extra strain can damage your heart muscle and cause it to fail. Additionally, high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing kidney disease or dementia.

Read to find out more about how to lower blood pressure and treat it effectively. It’s important to take steps if you’re dealing with high blood pressure.

In Conclusion

Hypertension often has no symptoms until very advanced stages, so getting regular checkups with a physician is important if you think you may be at risk.

Those with high blood pressure must make lifestyle changes, be more active, and take prescribed medicines to manage the condition. We hope this information about high blood pressure made you aware of the condition.