Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is High Blood Pressure A Cause For Concern?
Question: I'm just wondering if high blood pressure is something to be concerned about. My normal blood pressure is around 134/82 in that area. Sometimes 140/90. When I am stressed it goes up tp 170/106. Is that something to go on medication for
Brief Answer:
Your blood pressure is high normal at rest and please avoid stress
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by flowing blood on the walls of arteries. It is dynamic in nature and the blood pressure changes depending on the conditions including rest and after stress.
2. The blood pressure is to be recorded in a person after 30 minutes of physical and mental rest. If such a recording is above 140/ 90mm Hg on three consecutive days then te person is having high blood pressure.
3. In your case the blood pressure at rest is in the range of 134/ 82mm Hg to 140/ 90mm Hg. It is never more than 140/90mm Hg when you record it during rest. Therefore your blood pressure is in the upper normal range and no medicine is required.
It is important to remember that any person will have a higher recording when under physical or mental stress. It is recommended that you decrease your stress levels and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Your blood pressure is high normal at rest and please avoid stress
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by flowing blood on the walls of arteries. It is dynamic in nature and the blood pressure changes depending on the conditions including rest and after stress.
2. The blood pressure is to be recorded in a person after 30 minutes of physical and mental rest. If such a recording is above 140/ 90mm Hg on three consecutive days then te person is having high blood pressure.
3. In your case the blood pressure at rest is in the range of 134/ 82mm Hg to 140/ 90mm Hg. It is never more than 140/90mm Hg when you record it during rest. Therefore your blood pressure is in the upper normal range and no medicine is required.
It is important to remember that any person will have a higher recording when under physical or mental stress. It is recommended that you decrease your stress levels and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I was under the impression that high blood pressure can be dangerous whether it is elevated just on occasion. I am relieved to know that it can be a normal occurrence to have a high reading when under stress. So it is ok to go for a walk when blood pressures are elevated. Is it safe to do so?
Brief Answer:
Temporary stress and elevated blood pressure from it is not dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Stress can be of short duration or temporary stress and in few people the stress can stay for few days at a stretch and is longer duration or chronic stress. During stress, there is release of adrenaline and other substances in our blood and this is a natural mechanism to prepare the body to handle the stress and this causes elevated blood pressure recording.
2. The blood pressure recording during stress is elevated temporarily and comes back to normal after the stress is over and you are aware of this. Your blood pressure during stress is 170/ 106 mm Hg and then it gets back to below 140/ 90 mm Hg and which is well within normal limits of blood pressure.
3. Constant elevated blood pressure in a person, even during rest, is a matter of concern and requires treatment. Medical research has shown that there is no risk of heart disease due to elevated blood pressure from temporary stress.
4. The relationship between chronic stress and heart disease is not clear, therefore it is recommended to keep stress levels in control.
5. In your case I understand that there is temporary stress during which you have elevated recording of blood pressure and soon it becomes normal when the stress is over. This is not something to worry about and happens with every one. To relieve stress you can always choose to go for a walk and bounce back to normal.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Temporary stress and elevated blood pressure from it is not dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Stress can be of short duration or temporary stress and in few people the stress can stay for few days at a stretch and is longer duration or chronic stress. During stress, there is release of adrenaline and other substances in our blood and this is a natural mechanism to prepare the body to handle the stress and this causes elevated blood pressure recording.
2. The blood pressure recording during stress is elevated temporarily and comes back to normal after the stress is over and you are aware of this. Your blood pressure during stress is 170/ 106 mm Hg and then it gets back to below 140/ 90 mm Hg and which is well within normal limits of blood pressure.
3. Constant elevated blood pressure in a person, even during rest, is a matter of concern and requires treatment. Medical research has shown that there is no risk of heart disease due to elevated blood pressure from temporary stress.
4. The relationship between chronic stress and heart disease is not clear, therefore it is recommended to keep stress levels in control.
5. In your case I understand that there is temporary stress during which you have elevated recording of blood pressure and soon it becomes normal when the stress is over. This is not something to worry about and happens with every one. To relieve stress you can always choose to go for a walk and bounce back to normal.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
