What Are Acceptable Blood Pressure Levels?

One of out every four Americans has high blood pressure (hypertension), according to the National Institutes of Health. Called the silent killer, hypertension may cause no symptoms at all, yet it is an easy condition to diagnose. Simple blood pressure readings can reveal whether a person has high blood pressure, or has a reading that indicates a likelihood of developing high blood pressure in the future. Knowing your blood pressure levels and what they mean is key.

Function

• Blood pressure readings measure the actual force or pressure of the blood in the arteries. Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers: the systolic, or the top number in the reading, and the diastolic or the bottom number. Systolic numbers tell what the pressure is while the heart is beating. Diastolic give the reading while the heart is between beats, or at rest. Certain factors can influence a blood pressure reading, so one measurement that reads high will not alone determine a diagnosis of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Repeated high readings taken at different times, under different circumstances, will indicate hypertension.

Identification

• A normal blood pressure reading would be at a level below 120 for the systolic number, and below 80 for the diastolic. An elevated level indicating prehypertension would be between 120 and 130 for the systolic and between 80 and 89 for the diastolic. High blood pressure readings for the systolic are 140 and over, and 90 and above for the diastolic. Only one category or number needs to be elevated for the reading to be considered high. For example, a systolic of 145 and diastolic of 80 would still be considered high and in the hypertensive range.

Types

• The most common type of high blood pressure or hypertension in older Americans is isolated systolic hypertension. This is where the first number, or systolic, is elevated, but the second or bottom number is in normal range. Another type of high blood pressure is white-coat hypertension. This is not a true hypertension, as it refers to when a person experiences elevated blood pressure readings only while in a medical setting like a doctor's office or a hospital, but has normal blood pressure otherwise. If this is suspected, a physician will use other methods to detect a true reading.

Tips

• Certain things can affect blood pressure readings. According to the National Institutes of Health, these tips will help obtain a true reading. Don't smoke or have caffeinated drinks within a half-hour of getting blood pressure checked. Avoid wearing long sleeves, as it a long sleeve constricts and can alter a reading. Go to the bathroom prior to getting blood pressure tested. Rest for five minutes prior to getting checked, keeping your arms supported at heart level, feet flat on floor and back supported.

Risk factors

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, does run in families. Before age 55, men are more likely to have hypertension. Women are more at risk after menopause. African Americans have a greater incidence of high blood pressure than other ethnic groups. However, age is the biggest factor. According to the National Institute on Aging, 3/4 of those 70 years or older have high blood pressure.

Prevention/Solution

• High blood pressure can often be addressed with lifestyle changes. Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake. Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet, making certain to restrict salt and sodium. If lifestyle modifications don't lower blood pressure to acceptable levels, medication will likely be prescribed. However, medication should not be relied upon alone; the best treatment will be a combination of a healthy lifestyle and medicine.