Blood pressure is a measurement that reflects the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It is expressed as two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic pressure, the top number, indicates the pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out. The diastolic pressure, the bottom number, represents the pressure when your heart rests between beats. While a single high reading does not automatically lead to a diagnosis, it warrants attention and further evaluation.
Decoding Your Blood Pressure Reading of 156
According to the 2017 American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines, a systolic reading of 156 mmHg falls into the category of Hypertension Stage 2. This classification applies when the systolic pressure is at least 140 mmHg or the diastolic pressure is at least 90 mmHg. While a single reading of 156 mmHg is important, a diagnosis of high blood pressure requires an average of two or more readings on at least two separate occasions. This approach helps account for fluctuations in blood pressure, ensuring a more accurate assessment.
Understanding the Health Risks
Sustained high blood pressure places increased strain on your blood vessels and organs. This continuous elevated pressure can damage the inner lining of arteries, leading to the buildup of plaque in a process called atherosclerosis. As plaque accumulates, arteries narrow, restricting blood flow and raising the risk for numerous health conditions.
Unmanaged high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and heart failure, as the heart must work harder to pump blood against higher resistance, potentially leading to a weakened or enlarged heart muscle. It also raises the risk of stroke, which occurs when blood vessels supplying the brain become blocked or burst. High blood pressure can impair kidney function by damaging the blood vessels within the kidneys, potentially resulting in kidney disease or failure. Vision problems can arise from damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, and peripheral artery disease, affecting blood flow to the limbs, is another complication.
Actionable Steps for Management
The first step involves confirming the accuracy of the measurement. Re-check blood pressure readings over several days, ensuring proper technique and a calm environment for each measurement. Consistent elevated readings indicate a need for immediate attention.
Consulting a healthcare professional is important for a proper diagnosis and personalized management plan. A doctor can evaluate your overall health, assess individual risk factors, and determine the most suitable course of action. Lifestyle modifications are a cornerstone of managing high blood pressure and can contribute to lowering readings. Key strategies include:
Adopt a heart-healthy diet, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams daily.
Engage in regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, like brisk walking or cycling.
Maintain a healthy weight, as even a modest weight loss of 5-10 pounds can lower blood pressure.
Manage stress through techniques such as meditation or deep breathing.
Limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks daily for men and one for women.
Quit smoking.
Monitor blood pressure regularly at home, as advised by your doctor, to track progress and assess effectiveness of strategies.