- In This Article
- Recommendations
- Ratings
- How to choose
- By the numbers
- Types
- What's high blood pressure?
- How to check your pressure
What's high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is measured as two numbers, one over the other—for example, 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The systolic, or higher, number reflects the heart's pumping pressure; the diastolic, or lower, number reflects the pressure between heartbeats. An elevation in either or both of those numbers constitutes hypertension, as shown below.
| Blood-pressure category | Systolic (MM HG) | Diastolic (MM HG) |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | Less than 120 | Less than 80 |
| Borderline, or prehypertension | 120 to 139 | 80 to 89 |
| Hypertension | 140 or more | 90 or more |
How to lower your blood pressure
Studies have conclusively shown that changes in lifestyle can reduce blood pressure substantially. Other research has clarified which medications work best for which people. Here is what you can do:
Diet and exercise
Lose excess weight. Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or no-fat dairy products and low in salt. Limit your alcohol intake, and quit smoking. Do aerobic exercise regularly. Strength training can help, too. Consider stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Pain-relieving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Limit the use of NSAIDS such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and generics) and naproxen (Aleve and generics), as well as the COX-2 drug celecoxib (Celebrex).
Sleep apnea
This breathing disorder, common in heavy snorers, increases blood pressure. If losing weight, sleeping on your side, and avoiding alcohol and skipping sleeping pills don't help, see a sleep specialist.
Medicate, if necessary
If after three or four months changes in lifestyle fail to reduce blood pressure sufficiently, your doctor may need to prescribe medication. Diuretics, the oldest and least expensive type of antihypertensive drug, are best for most people with uncomplicated hypertension, particularly those with only an elevated systolic reading.
Beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) are good options for people with certain additional disorders. Alpha-blockers and calcium-channel blockers should generally be reserved for people who don't respond to or can't tolerate other drugs. Note that evidence has suggested that ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and ARBs may be less effective in African-Americans.
