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Is Systolic BP Of 140-155 And Diastolic BP Of 52-64 Normal?

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Posted on Thu, 23 Mar 2017
Question: I am a 74 year old female who takes no medication. My blood pressure varies from 140 to 155 over 52 to 64. My eye exam indicated a slight wiggle in the blood vessels in the back of my eyes. Do you think I need to take Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No need to start medication.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query !

Blood pressure has been classified into five categories according to JACC.

Normal blood pressure < 120/80 mmhg
pre-hypertensive stage is 120-139/80-89 mmhg
grade 1 (mild ) is 140-159/90-99 mmhg
grade 2 (moderate ) is 160-179/100-109 mmhg
above that range, is severe hypertension.

As age progresses the blood vessels loses their elasticity due to age related changes and atherosclerosis(fat deposition ), hence blood pressure increases with age and it's natural .

In Female, at age more then 65 years, our target blood pressure is 140/90mmhg.
Less then 120/80 is said normal in a young adult but in older person the target b.p is less then 140/90.

Your systolic BP varies between 140-155 and diastolic varies between 52-64 mm of hg .

So, as per the guidelines of JACC , your maximum blood pressure reading 155 systolic and 64 diastolic comes under mild (grade 1) hypertension(in respect to criteria laid down for young person)

At the age of 74 our target is to achieve a BP less then 140/90 mm of hg and you are very close to it; just follow my advice for 3 months.

Slight wiggles in eye examination are all age related changes and is not because of your blood pressure.

Do 45 minutes of exercise at least 6 days a week ,just walking will not help, if you walk; walk should be brisk at a speed of at least 5.1km/hr.

Use salt restricted diet 2500mg of sodium per day.
Add lots of fibres to your diet.
Avoid oily and fatty food, don't take butter , peanut oil instead eat oats ,and use rice XXXXXXX oil or olive oil.

Avoid red meat and egg yolk.
Don't take any medicine for the time being .

Do what i suggested you for at least 3 months, keep a record of your blood pressure every 3rd day , your readings will be much better after 3 months.In case even after 3months of severe life style modification trial we fail to achieve our target BP , then we would start you with a very low dose of anti-hypertensive medicine.

Don't be over anxious about your BP as increased anxiety levels also elevates blood pressure , frankly speaking according to your age your BP is just a bit high. So don't worry ,just follow these life style modification by heart for 3 months and you should be fine.

In case you need more clarification or you have any more query , feel free to ask!

Thanks
Dr Rishu Saxena
Cardiologist

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rishu Saxena

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 696 Questions

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Is Systolic BP Of 140-155 And Diastolic BP Of 52-64 Normal?

Brief Answer: No need to start medication. Detailed Answer: Hi dear, Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query ! Blood pressure has been classified into five categories according to JACC. Normal blood pressure < 120/80 mmhg pre-hypertensive stage is 120-139/80-89 mmhg grade 1 (mild ) is 140-159/90-99 mmhg grade 2 (moderate ) is 160-179/100-109 mmhg above that range, is severe hypertension. As age progresses the blood vessels loses their elasticity due to age related changes and atherosclerosis(fat deposition ), hence blood pressure increases with age and it's natural . In Female, at age more then 65 years, our target blood pressure is 140/90mmhg. Less then 120/80 is said normal in a young adult but in older person the target b.p is less then 140/90. Your systolic BP varies between 140-155 and diastolic varies between 52-64 mm of hg . So, as per the guidelines of JACC , your maximum blood pressure reading 155 systolic and 64 diastolic comes under mild (grade 1) hypertension(in respect to criteria laid down for young person) At the age of 74 our target is to achieve a BP less then 140/90 mm of hg and you are very close to it; just follow my advice for 3 months. Slight wiggles in eye examination are all age related changes and is not because of your blood pressure. Do 45 minutes of exercise at least 6 days a week ,just walking will not help, if you walk; walk should be brisk at a speed of at least 5.1km/hr. Use salt restricted diet 2500mg of sodium per day. Add lots of fibres to your diet. Avoid oily and fatty food, don't take butter , peanut oil instead eat oats ,and use rice XXXXXXX oil or olive oil. Avoid red meat and egg yolk. Don't take any medicine for the time being . Do what i suggested you for at least 3 months, keep a record of your blood pressure every 3rd day , your readings will be much better after 3 months.In case even after 3months of severe life style modification trial we fail to achieve our target BP , then we would start you with a very low dose of anti-hypertensive medicine. Don't be over anxious about your BP as increased anxiety levels also elevates blood pressure , frankly speaking according to your age your BP is just a bit high. So don't worry ,just follow these life style modification by heart for 3 months and you should be fine. In case you need more clarification or you have any more query , feel free to ask! Thanks Dr Rishu Saxena Cardiologist