Are you diagnosed with borderline hypertension? While you may not take note of it, this can be quite dangerous, since over a period of time even ‘borderline’ pressure can lead to heart disease or stroke. Years ago, ‘normal BP’ was said to be 100 plus your age. In most recent international guidelines, any BP over 120/80 is said to be high.
What is blood pressure?
High blood pressure is called the ‘silent killer’ because it usually has no symptoms and causes no discomfort. You can have it and not even know it. People with high blood pressure have a much greater risk of having heart attacks and strokes. Blood circulates through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries to deliver food and oxygen to all the cells of the body. The heart provides the force to push the blood through this network of vessels. The force or pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries is known as blood pressure.
The pressure of the blood against the walls of your arteries can increase because of several factors, including:
- An increase in the amount of blood pumped through the blood vessels.
- An increase in the resistance to blood flow. Resistance may result from narrowing of the blood vessels or stiffness in the walls of the blood vessels.
Systolic blood pressure (top or high number) is the pressure inside your arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood into your arteries. Diastolic blood pressure (bottom or low number) is the pressure inside your arteries when the heart is relaxing and filling with blood.
The international guidelines for blood pressure:
| Category | Systolic BP | Diastolic BP | |
| Normal | < 120 | and | < 80 |
| Pre-hypertension | 120-139 | or | 80-89 |
| Hypertension, stage I | 140-159 | or | 90-99 |
| Hypertension, stage II | >160 | or | > 100 |
Causes of high blood pressure
In over 90 percent of people with high blood pressure, the exact cause of their high blood pressure is unknown. There are a number of factors that increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. They include:
Risk factors you cannot control:
- Genetics
- Age — The older you are, the more likely you are to have high blood pressure.
- Sex — Men have a greater risk than women until age 55. After 55, women have a higher risk.
Risk factors you can control:
- Being overweight
- Being physically inactive
- Eating too much salt (sodium)
- Drinking too much alcohol
Complications of high blood pressure
The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. Over time, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and lead to serious health problems.
Atherosclerosis, angina, and heart attack - High blood pressure speeds up the development of atherosclerotic plaques that can clog arteries and cut off the blood flow to the heart muscle. Limited blood flow to the heart muscle can lead to angina (chest discomfort) or even a heart attack. Atherosclerosis due to high cholesterol.
Stroke - Similar to a heart attack, a stroke is a brain attack. Atherosclerotic plaque that builds up in the arteries of the head and neck can limit blood flow to parts of the brain. This is the most common cause of stroke. A stroke can also occur when high blood pressure causes weakened blood vessels in the brain to burst.
Peripheral vascular disease - Atherosclerotic plaque can also build up in the arteries of the legs. This may result in severe pain during physical activity, a condition called intermittent claudication.
Heart failure - High blood pressure makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through the blood vessels. Like any muscle that is overworked, the heart walls may become thickened and enlarged. An enlarged heart can’t pump normally, so blood backs up in the lungs and other organs. Congestive heart failure is the result, and it is an extremely serious condition.
Kidney damage - High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys.
Eye damage - High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels of the eyes, resulting in blindness.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed?
A single blood pressure reading that is high doesn’t necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. Because your blood pressure can change from time to time, several readings may need to be taken to get an accurate reading. If your blood pressure reading is high, you will need to have at least two readings taken on two or more separate occasions to confirm if you have high blood pressure.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.
For accurate readings
To ensure your blood pressure readings are accurate, you shouldn’t have your blood pressure taken if you:
- Smoke within 30 minutes of the reading
- Drink coffee or alcohol within 30 minutes
- Engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity within an hour
- Eat a meal within an hour
- Take an antihistamine or cold medicine within the past six hours
Stress can also cause blood pressure to temporarily increase. In fact, some people get nervous during a visit to their doctor’s office and this causes their blood pressure to increase. They are said to have ‘white coat’ hypertension.
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