Brief Answer:
Stress; first stage of hypertension

Detailed Answer:
Hello, madame! Thank you for your question. I am Dr. Meriton and I will try to help you with your concern.

I will start my answer by informing you that the age of 56 years old is borderline as a risk factor for high blood pressure (hypertension) and cardiovascular disease, in women.

Now, the blood pressure figures standardized as normal for worldwide population are: 100-139 mmHg systolic and 60-89 mmHg diastolic. You should know that there are a lot of physiological and psychological reasons that cause blood pressure to "jump", such as exercise, acute stress etc. I would have to ask you some questions:
- do you have stress daily, at work, at home or elsewhere?
- does hypertension run in your family and blood relatives?
- does anything happen in particular, that you decide to measure your blood pressure or it is a random finding?

Other factors that can raise your blood pressure are also some beverages we use every day, like coffee and tea (xanthyne derivatives) and other beverages that contain caffeine.

At this point, I would recommend you to be put on a 24-hour blood pressure monitor, to confirm or exclude early stage hypertension. Also, to see if this "jumping" is a one time thing or it is found more often than normal, during a day. If this test confirms it, then you can discuss with your treating cardiologist or internal medicine specialist, the possibility to be put on a blood pressure-lowering drug.

I hope I was helpful with my answer. Feel free to make further questions, as I would be glad to help you.

Best regards,
Dr. Meriton

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