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Dec. 11, 2019 In 2017, leading heart experts redefined high blood pressure for the first time in 14 years. These blood pressure guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association give a lower definition of high blood pressure. According to the ACC, this new definition may result in nearly half of U.S. adults being diagnosed with the condition. What is high blood pressure?Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of your blood pushing against your blood vessel walls. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is diagnosed when that pressure is consistently too high. Your systolic pressure (the top number of your reading) is the pressure in the arteries as the heart beats. Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number of your reading) is a measurement of the pressure in the arteries as the heart muscle rests. “Typically, the top number receives more attention, but elevated diastolic pressure alone also increases cardiovascular disease risk,” says Dr. Irfan Dadabhoy, a primary care physician at Houston Methodist. Under the new guidelines there are now five categories of blood pressure. The prehypertension category has been removed from the guidelines. Why it’s important to have your blood pressure checked“High blood pressure is sometimes called a ‘silent killer’ because it doesn’t cause symptoms and won’t be caught without regular blood pressure readings,” explains Dr. Dadabhoy. “Having high blood pressure makes you four times more likely to die from a stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” Dr. Dadabhoy says that the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. Most likely, your blood pressure is measured and recorded every time you go to your health care provider’s office. And, keep in mind, just because you feel "healthy" doesn't mean you can ignore your doctor's warnings about elevated blood pressure. Everyone's blood pressure matters, even if you're young. It's important to talk with your doctor about the new high blood pressure guidelines and how they may impact treatment for your personal health situation. The goal is that by defining high blood pressure at a lower threshold, people will start working with their health care providers sooner to find ways to successfully manage the condition through lifestyle changes. Tips for managing high blood pressure“There’s no cure for high blood pressure, but you can successfully manage it with medication and living a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Dadabhoy says. The following changes can help you better manage high blood pressure:
OverviewWhat do your blood pressure numbers mean?Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure readings include two numbers. The first number is the systolic pressure (top number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls as your heart pumps. The second number is the diastolic pressure (bottom number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats. If the top number stays high, or the bottom number stays high, or both, that means you have high blood pressure (hypertension). It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Your doctor will give you a goal for your blood pressure. What can cause blood pressure to go up or down?It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. Some medicines can cause your blood pressure to go up. These medicines include certain asthma medicines and cold remedies. A low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid. When should you call your doctor?One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. If it's still high or low, use the following guidance. Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
CreditsCurrent as of: March 9, 2022 Author: Healthwise Staff What causes the top number of blood pressure to be high?Isolated systolic hypertension can be caused by conditions such as: Artery stiffness. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) Diabetes.
What do you do when the top number of your blood pressure is high?If your systolic blood pressure is too high, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help bring it down.. If you smoke, stop. ... . Lower the amount of salt in your diet.. Cut back on alcohol if you drink.. Get to or stay at a healthy weight.. How do I lower the top number of my blood pressure?Lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent and lower high blood pressure:. Aim for a healthy weight. Being overweight adds to your risk of high blood pressure. ... . Exercise. ... . Eat a heart-healthy diet. ... . Cut down on salt. ... . Drink less alcohol. ... . Don't smoke. ... . Get a good night's sleep. ... . Manage stress.. Which is worse in high blood pressure top or bottom number?Over the years, research has found that both numbers are equally important in monitoring heart health. However, most studies show a greater risk of stroke and heart disease related to higher systolic pressures compared with elevated diastolic pressures.
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What does it mean when the top number of your blood pressure is high
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