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What Does This BP Reading Of 146/86 Indicate?
Question: my blood pressure is 146 over 86 is this critical?
Brief Answer:
Definitely not!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you've mentioned no past medical history, so I suppose you're healthy.
The normal blood pressure is lower than 140mmHg (systolic) and lower than 90mmHg (diastolic). This means that you've had a slight elevation of your systolic blood pressure and a borderline normal diastolic blood pressure. This not critical at all, but it needs to be investigated!
In cases like this, I suggest to my patients to confirm the elevated blood pressure in other occasions. Correct measurement is of paramount importance.
If you used an automatic device then you should make sure that this is a validated one and it works ok.
Blood pressure measurements should only be done after sitting on chair/sofa etc calmly for 5-10 minutes. You should not consider high blood pressure measurements, when you have headache or other pain or psychological stress. If you do find a value that's higher than normal (like your systolic blood pressure) you should confirm it with a second measurement a couple of minutes later. If the second measurement is lower than the first, you should try a third measurement and consider as your correct blood pressure the mean value of the last two measurements.
I would suggest measuring your blood pressure for a couple of weeks twice a day (every morning and afternoon or evening) and recording the results. Then you can take the results to your doctor. If you have a lot of high blood pressures you're going to need treatment.
You can try abstaining from salt consumption (cheese, cold cuts, too much bread etc) and engage in a mild physical activity program (daily) but only after being checked by your cardiologist.
Stopping smoking (if you smoke) would help your heart and lungs a lot.
Finally, a blood test for lipid profile, kidney function and other basic tests would be needed for a complete assessment of your cardiovascular health.
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like more information or clarifications.
Kind Regards!
Definitely not!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you've mentioned no past medical history, so I suppose you're healthy.
The normal blood pressure is lower than 140mmHg (systolic) and lower than 90mmHg (diastolic). This means that you've had a slight elevation of your systolic blood pressure and a borderline normal diastolic blood pressure. This not critical at all, but it needs to be investigated!
In cases like this, I suggest to my patients to confirm the elevated blood pressure in other occasions. Correct measurement is of paramount importance.
If you used an automatic device then you should make sure that this is a validated one and it works ok.
Blood pressure measurements should only be done after sitting on chair/sofa etc calmly for 5-10 minutes. You should not consider high blood pressure measurements, when you have headache or other pain or psychological stress. If you do find a value that's higher than normal (like your systolic blood pressure) you should confirm it with a second measurement a couple of minutes later. If the second measurement is lower than the first, you should try a third measurement and consider as your correct blood pressure the mean value of the last two measurements.
I would suggest measuring your blood pressure for a couple of weeks twice a day (every morning and afternoon or evening) and recording the results. Then you can take the results to your doctor. If you have a lot of high blood pressures you're going to need treatment.
You can try abstaining from salt consumption (cheese, cold cuts, too much bread etc) and engage in a mild physical activity program (daily) but only after being checked by your cardiologist.
Stopping smoking (if you smoke) would help your heart and lungs a lot.
Finally, a blood test for lipid profile, kidney function and other basic tests would be needed for a complete assessment of your cardiovascular health.
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like more information or clarifications.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
ok I just got back walking for one hour and I did another test it reads :
139
80
03
139
80
03
Brief Answer:
this is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
this is normal. Keep measuring the blood pressure as instructed in my previous answer, so you'll be able to find out if you do have hypertension and also help your doctor take the right decision regarding treatment.
Kind regards!
this is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
this is normal. Keep measuring the blood pressure as instructed in my previous answer, so you'll be able to find out if you do have hypertension and also help your doctor take the right decision regarding treatment.
Kind regards!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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