Blood pressure levels

[cbrookhart]

I've been taking my blood pressure on a regular basis, but not obsessing over doing it. I am tracking the readings that I get through an online site that uses the AHA standards to determine if the reading is normal, borderline, or high. I'm wondering what is the recommended chart to go by for the readings? As an example, the chart that is on the blood pressure machines at stores have one standard and then there is the AHA standard. Some of the readings I have been getting are high, so I am wanting to find out what chart to go by so that I can see what category the numbers fit in.

[wiredqs]

Here is a government site that advises to be under 120/80
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/mission/abouthbp/numbers.htm

[Lenin]

crookhart,

I think the old 140/90 is the better standard.
This FDA has been bought and paid for by the AMA and anything that boosts business is usually given the nod. Under 120/80 is very nice but not if you have to medicate to get it. IMHO.

[mgraylorn]

I think the standard is still 140/90 to be classified as hypertensive.

The 120-139/80-89 category is called "prehypertensive" and means one should keep an eye on their blood pressure and make lifestyle changes to try to reduce the numbers.

The new optimum is to have blood pressure under 120/80.

Many doctors will try to medicate you if you are in the 120-139/80-89 range, but this is still considered OK pressure, and I would resist attempts to medicate in this range. I would seriously try to make some lifestyle changes like reduce salt, better diet, lose weight and get exercise in this range.

Someone correct me if I am wrong on these facts.

I wish someone had told me about the "prehypertensive category" and what I should do. I might have tried to lose my extra 35 pounds and start exercising earlier. Who knows if it would have made a difference, but I am in medication land now, and weight loss and exercise doesn't seem to be able to change that.

[GEORGEP]

I have "white coat" and my readings were always high at the doctor's office but my home readings ranged from 120/80 to 135/88. My doctor put me on medication a year ago. My average readings now are 115/75. I have been on Diovan for a year and it is keeping my numbers lower than they were before starting medication but I wonder if I truly have hypertension or just White coat since my numbers are still much higher when I see the doctor 130/80 and then I get home and they are 115-75...