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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Understanding BP Readings, Please Anyone Any Advice

My boyfriend of 39 has a reading on our home tester of 144 sys and 47 dia with 84 beats per minute and I ve looked on websites and it doesn t make sense. Mine however complies with my GP reading suggesting our tester is ok. He is blase about this but I am more concerned, anyone have any thoughts - no matter what... would be very grateful for serious replies. A little more history he is carrying literally a few more pounds than he should because his six pack has just disappeared but i suspect he has more stress than he lets on. Please anyone any advice
Thu, 18 Aug 2011
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  User's Response
's  Response
Firstly I want to comment on the medical students answer because although his answer is correct, it lacks further explanation and clarity. Blood pressure will of course naturally rise with age, this is to a certain extent part of the ageing process for reasons Zizzou gave,- we know this, however studies show that the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk of cardiovascular events which is why we say that although this may be considered a normalish BP reading for someone this age, it isn't optimal (optimal being <120/80) and because anything above is pathological (and therefore a risk to health) it is not considered normal. Single BP readings are never diagnostic, for a more accurate analysis, BP needs to be measured over a 24 hour period,- It might be worth asking your BF's GP to arrange this. This will give a more accurate reading of his BP. 144 isn't within treatment range (unless he has risk factors such as diabetes and kidney issues etc), so best advise at the moment is lifestyle changes and close BP monitoring. Your boyfriend needs to reduce sodium in his diet, exercise, stay as close to his ideal weight as possible and limit alcohol consumption. We should all be doing this regardless. Normal heart rate is 60-100, so no issue there. Caveat: Watch out Zizzou, with an answer like that, user 'Mrs.Doubtfire' will be all over you. EDIT 1 Zizzou: There was nothing wrong with your statement, in fact, many Doctors forget the small fact that BP does rise with age and it is to a certain extent part of the natural ageing process. Your answer was fine, it just lacked further explanation and I felt it might mislead the poster. If you are studying medicine then you will know our aim is to keep BP <120/80 that's all. No need to get offended and all silly! If you want to be a Doctor you're going to have to be a lot more thick skinned then that pal. EDIT 2 No problem Zizzou, I'm sorry if it looked like I was attacking your answer. Good luck with your studies, I am hoping to study medicine too. (user Henry is Doubtfire by the way, ignore it)
General & Family Physician,  Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for query,
Systolic blood pressure is alright but diastolic pressure is low.
Diastolic pressure shows the condition of heart.
Pulse a bit more.
But what I suggest that any person about 40 must go for some investigations and he should have life style accordingly.
Go for,
1,ECG,
2,Lipid profile and s. cholesterol,
3,blood sugar,
Ok and bye.
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Understanding BP Readings, Please Anyone Any Advice

Firstly I want to comment on the medical students answer because although his answer is correct, it lacks further explanation and clarity. Blood pressure will of course naturally rise with age, this is to a certain extent part of the ageing process for reasons Zizzou gave,- we know this, however studies show that the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk of cardiovascular events which is why we say that although this may be considered a normalish BP reading for someone this age, it isn t optimal (optimal being 120/80) and because anything above is pathological (and therefore a risk to health) it is not considered normal. Single BP readings are never diagnostic, for a more accurate analysis, BP needs to be measured over a 24 hour period,- It might be worth asking your BF s GP to arrange this. This will give a more accurate reading of his BP. 144 isn t within treatment range (unless he has risk factors such as diabetes and kidney issues etc), so best advise at the moment is lifestyle changes and close BP monitoring. Your boyfriend needs to reduce sodium in his diet, exercise, stay as close to his ideal weight as possible and limit alcohol consumption. We should all be doing this regardless. Normal heart rate is 60-100, so no issue there. Caveat: Watch out Zizzou, with an answer like that, user Mrs.Doubtfire will be all over you. EDIT 1 Zizzou: There was nothing wrong with your statement, in fact, many Doctors forget the small fact that BP does rise with age and it is to a certain extent part of the natural ageing process. Your answer was fine, it just lacked further explanation and I felt it might mislead the poster. If you are studying medicine then you will know our aim is to keep BP 120/80 that s all. No need to get offended and all silly! If you want to be a Doctor you re going to have to be a lot more thick skinned then that pal. EDIT 2 No problem Zizzou, I m sorry if it looked like I was attacking your answer. Good luck with your studies, I am hoping to study medicine too. (user Henry is Doubtfire by the way, ignore it)