Blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls as it circulates. It is a key indicator of cardiovascular health, showing how well oxygen and nutrients reach tissues. Understanding what specific readings mean is important for wellness. Monitoring blood pressure helps assess the heart’s workload and blood vessel condition.
Understanding the 158/87 Reading
A blood pressure reading has two numbers, measured in mmHg. The top number, 158, is the systolic pressure, the force when your heart contracts and pumps blood. The bottom number, 87, is the diastolic pressure, the pressure in your arteries when the heart rests between beats.
Guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) classify 158/87 mmHg as Stage 2 Hypertension. This occurs when systolic pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg or higher. This indicates consistently elevated pressure, straining your cardiovascular system.
Health Implications of Stage 2 Hypertension
Sustained high blood pressure at this level can lead to serious health complications. The persistent force against artery walls damages them, reducing elasticity and promoting plaque buildup, known as atherosclerosis. This impedes proper blood flow.
The heart muscle works harder against increased resistance, which can lead to its enlargement and weakening, potentially resulting in heart failure. Stage 2 hypertension also elevates the risk for heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure can damage delicate blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing waste filtration and potentially leading to kidney disease or failure. Vision loss can also occur due to damaged blood vessels in the eyes.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors
High blood pressure arises from various factors, broadly categorized into primary and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension, the majority of cases, develops gradually without a single identifiable cause, often from genetic predispositions and lifestyle choices.
Factors associated with primary hypertension include:
Family history
Increasing age
Being overweight or obese
A diet high in sodium and low in potassium
Insufficient physical activity
Excessive alcohol consumption
Chronic stress
Tobacco use
Secondary hypertension results from an underlying medical condition or certain medications. This type often appears more suddenly and can cause higher blood pressure readings. Common causes include:
Kidney disease
Obstructive sleep apnea
Certain thyroid problems
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications (e.g., birth control pills, NSAIDs, decongestants)
Management and Treatment Approaches
Addressing a blood pressure reading of 158/87 mmHg begins with consulting a healthcare provider for evaluation and a personalized treatment plan. They will confirm the diagnosis and assess cardiovascular risk. Managing Stage 2 hypertension typically involves lifestyle modifications and, often, medication.
Lifestyle changes are a key part of treatment. These include:
Adopting the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while limiting saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium.
Reducing sodium intake, ideally to 1,500 mg per day for most adults, to manage fluid balance and arterial constriction.
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise most days of the week.
Limiting alcohol consumption.
Maintaining a healthy body weight.
Practicing stress management techniques like meditation or deep breathing.
When lifestyle changes are insufficient, healthcare providers often prescribe medications. For Stage 2 hypertension, a combination of two antihypertensive drugs from different classes is frequently initiated for faster blood pressure control. Common medication classes include:
Diuretics, which help remove excess sodium and fluid.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs, which relax blood vessels.
Calcium channel blockers, which relax vessel muscles and can slow heart rate.
The specific medication choice depends on individual patient characteristics and co-existing health conditions.