A blood pressure reading of 157/117 mmHg places you firmly in the category of Stage 2 Hypertension. This reading indicates that both your systolic pressure (157), the pressure when your heart beats, and your diastolic pressure (117), the pressure between beats, are elevated beyond healthy limits. While this measurement is a serious finding that requires immediate medical follow-up, it is slightly below the threshold for a hypertensive crisis, which begins at 180/120 mmHg. The high diastolic number (117 mmHg) means you need to prioritize identifying the cause and developing a treatment plan quickly.
Immediate Assessment of Severity
The first step is to distinguish between severe hypertension and a medical emergency. A hypertensive crisis occurs when blood pressure exceeds 180/120 mmHg and is categorized into two types: urgency and emergency. Your reading of 157/117 mmHg is not in the crisis range, but you must check for symptoms that indicate damage is occurring to your organs.
A true hypertensive emergency requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms signaling an emergency include sudden severe headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Other red flags are vision changes, difficulty speaking, numbness, weakness, or severe back pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately, regardless of the exact number on the cuff.
Actions to Take Right Now
If you are not experiencing any severe symptoms, you can take steps to attempt a more accurate reading. Sit down in a quiet room with your back supported and your feet flat on the floor, making sure your legs are uncrossed. Your arm should be resting on a flat surface so the blood pressure cuff is level with your heart. Avoid talking, exercising, or consuming caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco for at least 30 minutes before taking a measurement.
After five minutes of quiet rest, take a second measurement. If the reading is still high, a period of simple, slow breathing can sometimes help lower pressure temporarily. Stress and anxiety cause hormones to be released that constrict blood vessels, which can temporarily spike blood pressure. While this reading suggests a chronic issue, anxiety about the reading itself can contribute to the elevated number.
Preparing for Your Medical Consultation
This high reading necessitates contacting a healthcare professional immediately for an appointment. Track and log your blood pressure readings for several days before your consultation. The log should include the date, time, and the systolic and diastolic numbers for both the morning and evening readings. Take two readings one minute apart at each session for better accuracy.
Accurate home monitoring helps the doctor distinguish between sustained hypertension and readings temporarily elevated by stress. You should also bring a list of all medications, including any over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or supplements. Your doctor will use this information to confirm a diagnosis and determine if further tests are needed to rule out secondary causes, such as kidney or thyroid issues, before starting treatment.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Stage 2
Once a diagnosis of Stage 2 Hypertension is confirmed, treatment usually involves both medication and lifestyle modifications. Dietary changes are essential for managing high blood pressure, with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan being highly recommended. This diet emphasizes increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. It also focuses on reducing saturated and total fat while ensuring adequate intake of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Restricting sodium intake is effective in lowering blood pressure. The standard recommendation is to limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams per day, though a lower goal of 1,500 milligrams per day can result in greater blood pressure reductions. Regular physical activity is important, with a goal of engaging in approximately 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming help strengthen the heart muscle, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently. Maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol consumption further supports lower blood pressure.