A blood pressure of 140 over 90 is normal in some cases. Although WHO standards now vary between 120-130 per 80-85, each person has their own limits of normal blood pressure. In some cases, a surge in pressure occurs, but if 140 over 90 quickly changes to your normal pressure, then there is no need to make any effort or worry. A simple lack of air, physical activity, coffee, or a high-temperature bath can trigger an increase in blood pressure. But if there are no external factors, and the tonometer shows 140 by 90 mm. rt. Art., then this is a reason to search for pathology in the body.
What does it mean if blood pressure is 140 to 90 mm. rt. Art.?
Almost every person knows their normal blood pressure, and if your readings are in the range of 125-138 to 80-89, then there is no reason to worry about the extra 5 units. But if blood pressure of 140 over 90 is not normal for you, then you should think about the reasons for its increase. Such indicators are borderline and often indicate incipient hypertension.
Men and women are equally prone to increased blood pressure, especially in people over 50. In children, teenagers and young adults, this pressure is a clear pathology caused by illness or external factors. But you shouldn’t take pills right away if your blood pressure is 140/90. It is necessary to find out the factor causing high blood pressure and eliminate it.
Drug therapy is only necessary if blood pressure rises sharply to 149 over 100 or higher.
What is arterial hypertension?
This is a persistent increase in blood pressure from 140/90 mm Hg. Art. and higher. According to statistics, only 20-30% of patients with arterial hypertension receive adequate therapy, and only 7% of men and 18% of women regularly monitor their blood pressure.
In the initial stages, arterial hypertension is asymptomatic or is detected accidentally during examinations or when patients visit a doctor for treatment of other diseases.
With prolonged high blood pressure, the walls of blood vessels thicken and lose their ability to relax, this prevents normal blood supply and, as a result, saturation of tissues and organs with oxygen and other nutrients, reducing their functional activity. Let's take a closer look at why hypertension is dangerous:
- hypertensive crisis;
- myocardial infarction or stroke;
- angina pectoris;
- heart failure;
- cardiac ischemia;
- renal failure;
- distortion of vision.
To avoid any complications that are so dangerous with hypertension, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner and undergo an examination, which will help determine the stage of development of the disease and prescribe the required treatment.
Is it necessary to reduce the pressure from 140 to 90?
A person may not immediately notice that the pressure has risen above normal. 140 to 90 is not a critical deviation; only in rare cases do people have a headache, feel tired or drowsy. With these indicators, the pulse is 60-80, there are no problems with the heart and hypertension does not make itself felt for a long time. So is it necessary to reduce the pressure to 140 to 90?
When a person’s blood pressure remains at 140 to 90 and does not decrease for a long time, the load on the walls of blood vessels increases. A couple of days of high blood pressure will not affect your health, but hypertension for several months is a bad sign. High blood pressure needs to be brought down, but this should be done gradually and after consultation with a doctor.
It is dangerous to take medications without a doctor's prescription. He will conduct a diagnosis, determine why a person’s blood pressure is constantly above 140 over 90, and tell you whether it is necessary to lower the pressure to 140 in your case.
Is this kind of blood pressure dangerous?
If you are worried whether a blood pressure of 140 over 90 is dangerous, then there is no reason to worry. Physical activity or stress can increase pressure to this level, and the blood vessels will withstand it. But with prolonged high blood pressure, there is a large constant load, which worsens the functioning of the circulatory system.
Hypertension in adulthood or youth on an ongoing basis leads to negative consequences that affect the entire body. The most serious pathologies include:
- Deterioration of vision.
- Heart failure.
- Aneurysms.
- Impaired blood supply to organs and tissues, especially blood flow to the brain.
- Strokes.
- Heart attacks.
Uncontrolled hypertension, when blood pressure is 142 to 92 or higher, leads to irreversible changes. Blood pressure should be monitored and any symptoms should be addressed in a timely manner.
In men
If men constantly have a blood pressure of 140 over 91, then problems may arise with potency. In a person, male power begins to fade due to improper blood flow. Also, in men, against the background of high blood pressure, there is the formation of cholesterol plaques that clog blood vessels. Therefore, every man should not neglect a pressure of 140 to 90, but immediately look for the reasons and lower blood pressure.
During pregnancy
Pressure 140 over 90 during pregnancy is an ambiguous indicator, since the numbers are on the border of normal. The expectant mother should immediately consult a doctor if something worries her. Blood pressure is 140 over 90, what does this mean for a pregnant woman? In the second trimester, blood pressure rises normally due to the appearance of a second circle of blood vessels. But in other periods it may indicate pathology.
During pregnancy, blood pressure should be regularly monitored by a doctor. Typically, women do not experience other health problems due to small surges. But if the pressure is 140 over 90 is accompanied by various signs - headache, nausea, heart pain, fever in the evening, then all this is a reason for examination. Pregnancy rarely proceeds without problems, but they need to be monitored. The doctor will tell you whether it is necessary to reduce the pressure from 140 to 90, taking into account the age, general condition of the patient and fetus, and the course of pregnancy.
If you are in the 39th week of pregnancy or more, and the pressure is 143 to 93 or higher constantly, then hospitalization is required, since in the later stages there is a threat to the mother and fetus.
In the elderly
Low or normal blood pressure is rare in older people. Seeing 136 over 84 on a blood pressure monitor is already a joy, but usually older people suffer from hypertension all the time. This is due to the active occurrence of atherosclerosis and an increase in the number of plaques. They narrow the lumen of blood vessels and blood pressure rises.
It is difficult to lower blood pressure without medications, and you need to take medications constantly. An adult’s health is usually satisfactory or there are very mild difficulties, but since the pressure is dangerous, it needs to be reduced.
Among women
If a girl or woman has a blood pressure of 144 over 94 and it persists for a long time in this region, then it is necessary to take medication. Such indicators do not pose a serious threat, but the risk of developing heart and kidney disease increases. High blood pressure for a week or two is already a reason for diagnosis. Only a doctor can tell you how to reduce the pressure from 140 to 90.
Normal blood pressure in a child and features of its changes
Blood pressure values in children - table by age:
Age | Blood pressure, mm Hg. st | |||
Systolic | Diastolic | |||
minimum | maximum | minimum | maximum | |
0-2 weeks | 60 | 96 | 40 | 50 |
2-4 weeks | 80 | 112 | 40 | 74 |
2-12 months | 90 | 112 | 50 | 74 |
2-3 years | 100 | 112 | 60 | 74 |
3-5 years | 100 | 116 | 60 | 76 |
6-9 years | 100 | 122 | 60 | 78 |
10-12 years | 110 | 126 | 70 | 82 |
13-15 years old | 110 | 136 | 70 | 86 |
Table with heart rate norms in children:
Child's age | Average heart rate, beats/min. | Normal limits, beats/min. |
0-1 month | 140 | 110-170 |
1-12 months | 130 | 102-162 |
1-2 years | 124 | 94-154 |
2-4 years | 115 | 90-140 |
4-6 years | 106 | 86-126 |
6-8 years | 98 | 78-118 |
8-10 years | 88 | 68-108 |
10-12 years | 80 | 60-100 |
12-15 years | 75 | 55-95 |
Normal blood pressure: infant up to one year
An elastic vascular bed and a dense network of capillaries are the main reasons that infants have much lower blood pressure than their parents. A newborn's blood pressure readings are 60-96/40-50 mm Hg. Art. As the wall tone strengthens, blood pressure also increases; by the end of the first year it ranges from 80/40 to 112/74 mm Hg. Art., taking into account the weight of the baby.
If you don’t have data on blood pressure in children at hand (the norm is in the table), you can use the following calculations for orientation: 76 + 2 n, where n is the baby’s age in months. For newborns, the width of the baby cuff chamber is 3 cm, for older infants – 5 cm. The procedure is repeated 3 times, focusing on the minimum result. In infants, only systolic blood pressure is checked, determined by palpation.
Normal blood pressure: baby 2-3 years old
After a year, the increase in blood pressure slows down. By 2-3 years, the average upper pressure is at the level of 100-112 mm Hg. Art., lower – 60-74 mm Hg. Blood pressure can be considered above normal limits if an alarming result persists for 3 weeks. Formula to clarify the norm: systolic blood pressure – (90 + 2n), diastolic – (60 + n), where n is the number of full years.
Reasons for blood pressure rising to 140/90
The reasons for the increase in blood pressure are different for all people, and there are dozens of them:
- Alcohol and poor diet, consisting of fast food and chemicals, coffee.
- Obesity or just overweight. Each additional kilogram increases blood pressure by 1 mm. rt. Art.
- Age-related changes in vascular walls.
- Atherosclerotic disease.
- Constant stress.
- Insufficient physical activity, sedentary lifestyle with minimal exercise.
- Genetic predisposition to hypertension.
- Kidney diseases.
- Endocrine disruptions in the body.
- Cervical osteochondrosis.
The reasons affect blood pressure levels in different ways, and if your blood pressure is 140 over 90, but you feel unwell, then the provoking factor should be found and eliminated. If you take medications without eliminating the cause of the pathology, your blood pressure will increase with a certain frequency, which will also negatively affect the functioning of the body.
Causes
The pressure may increase to a level of 140 to 90 due to overwork or emotional stress, especially if it is prolonged. A high level of adrenaline in the blood in risk-related situations also leads to this.
But after proper rest or normalization of the situation in healthy people, the indicators quickly return to normal. It is quite difficult to determine exactly why hypertension develops; a lot depends on:
- general health;
- the patient’s age and lifestyle;
- stress level.
At a young age, the reasons for a pressure of 140 to 90 may be physical inactivity and smoking. At older ages, obesity and poor nutrition take their toll. Constant consumption of foods high in saturated, hydrogenated and trans fats leads to high cholesterol levels, the formation of plaques on the walls of blood vessels and, as a result, to arterial hypertension and the development of cardiovascular diseases. The condition of the kidneys and adrenal glands plays an important role, affecting the production of certain hormones and the removal of fluid from the body.
Doctors identify the following set of factors that influence the development of arterial hypertension:
- genetic predisposition;
- smoking cigarettes and tobacco;
- alcohol abuse;
- high levels of stress in everyday life;
- poor nutrition;
- kidney dysfunction;
- endocrine diseases;
- obesity.
Ways to lower blood pressure
Symptoms
The increase in blood pressure is especially noticeable for people with the usual 110 to 70; for them, hypertension is not asymptomatic. The most pronounced and common symptoms of high blood pressure are:
- Substernal pain.
- Accompanying headache with weakness.
- An increase in the frequency of beats per minute of the heart - pulse.
- Nausea in the morning or evening.
- Shortness of breath without exertion or with slight exertion.
- Decreased physical activity, constant fatigue.
- Feeling of pulsation of blood vessels in the head.
- Blurred vision, white spots or loss of clarity.
- Fingers and toes get cold.
- Blood rushes to the face.
- Stuffs in the ears.
Signs of rising blood pressure may appear with varying intensity and without clear frequency. Each person is individual and tolerates pressure of 140 to 90 in their own way.
How to get rid of such a pathology can be found out only after identifying the cause of the disease. To do this, it is advisable to undergo an examination with a doctor, talk about the symptoms and undergo diagnostics. The specialist will tell you how to correctly reduce the pressure from 140 to 90 without harm to other systems and organs.
Even more serious symptoms requiring emergency care
- Shortness of breath, suffocation.
- Severe headache, forcing one to take a certain position. It is not relieved by analgesic drugs.
- Back pain accompanied by chest pain.
- Pain behind the sternum is intense, intensifies with breathing and movement.
- Fainting conditions.
- Impaired functioning of the body muscles (shaky gait, difficulty speaking, lack of clarity in the facial muscles).
There is no need to expect the condition to stabilize on its own. A doctor's call is required.
Treatment options
When fighting high blood pressure, diet, balanced nutrition, combating obesity, moderate physical activity, and light sports are important. Massaging your ears, feet and palms will also help. Simply massage them for five minutes to distribute blood flow. Good breathing exercises involve deep inhalations and exhalations for 5-10 minutes. But if conventional remedies do not help, and the pressure remains at 140 over 90 for a long time, then it is worth using serious treatment methods.
Treatment with medications
What to drink with a pressure of 140 to 90 depends on the factor that caused the jump. Drugs that lower blood pressure are divided into groups:
- Diuretics, which rid the body of excess water. This lowers blood pressure, but also removes potassium, which is necessary for the functioning of the heart muscle. It is not recommended to take diuretics for a long time. The most popular are Furosemide and Indapomide.
- ACE inhibitors - these drugs are used for long-term therapy and high blood pressure on an ongoing basis. Enalapril, Benazepril, etc. are prescribed.
- Angiotensin antagonists are used with extreme caution due to side effects. Losartan and Cozaar are popular for use by hypertensive patients.
- Calcium antagonists, which block channels and prevent blood vessels from narrowing. Verapamide and Nifedipine are used.
- Beta-blockers - from this group, Atenolol and Betaxolol are most often prescribed. They reduce the influence of hormones on the vascular system and prevent narrowing of the lumen.
Any medicine should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Self-medication is appropriate only for a short-term increase in blood pressure to 140 over 90. Hypertension requires monitoring and specialized treatment.
Folk remedies
Treatment at home is convenient, as it does not require large financial costs and effort. Folk remedies have a minimum number of contraindications and can be used at any time, the main thing is not to overdo it. Herbal teas help well, they relax and lower blood pressure. Mint, hawthorn, valerian root, calendula, plantain are irreplaceable helpers for hypertensive patients.
Treatment and normalization of blood pressure
Normalization of blood pressure in adolescents should begin with non-drug measures. Depending on the degree of hypertension and risk group, individual therapy is prescribed.
To ensure active growth and regulation of metabolic processes, more energy and increased attention to the child’s health are required. During this period, it is important to minimize possible harm to health. A healthy lifestyle based on proper nutrition and individually selected physical activity will help restore your well-being. Medical care must be arranged by a doctor.
Treatment of adolescent hypertension is long-term and includes the following measures:
- Following a healthy lifestyle, including a daily routine. Rational nutrition to normalize weight, hardening, healthy physical activity, taking vitamins.
- Herbal medicine and physiotherapy. Herbal remedies (rose hips, dandelion) gently reduce blood pressure, but do not treat the underlying disease.
- Prescription of medications is justified for systematic long-term increases in blood pressure. To eliminate side effects, gentle, long-acting drugs in small doses are prescribed for adolescents. Their action is controlled by a doctor.
If high blood pressure is a consequence of other diseases, you need to register with a therapist.
In this case, drug treatment and observation are required. Non-medical causes of the disease require special sensitivity. To protect a child from stressful situations, you will need the participation of parents and sometimes a psychologist.
Resolving domestic, school and other conflicts is no less important than taking medications that lower blood pressure. A trusting parental relationship with a child will also play an important role in giving up bad habits.
What to drink if the pressure remains at 140 over 90 and does not decrease?
If you have persistent hypertension, it is imperative to reduce your blood pressure before visiting a doctor in order to avoid unpleasant side symptoms. It is better to use diuretics for this; they will help quickly, but will not harm if taken once. According to the instructions, you can take Furosemide, Diacarb, Indapamide, etc. Stronger medications are allowed to be taken only if a doctor has previously prescribed them to you and told you about the method of use.
Only a qualified specialist can tell you what to drink if your blood pressure is 140 to 80 or higher on an ongoing basis. He will evaluate all the parameters and determine the cause of the pathological condition. Only on the basis of a full examination can treatment for hypertension be prescribed.
Prevention
Simple measures will help prevent pressure from rising to 140 over 90:
- Try to lead an active lifestyle. Even walking and cycling will be beneficial.
- Do not overuse fatty, salty foods, seasonings and sauces. Try to give preference to natural products and monitor the balance of vitamins.
- Minimize your salt intake.
- Try not to drink water, teas or coffee before bed.
- Make sure that you get enough clean water into your body. You can buy special solutions enriched with potassium to improve heart function. Make it a rule to drink a glass of clean room temperature water on an empty stomach.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, or reduce the frequency of taking these substances to a minimum.
- Engage in calming treatments - yoga, relaxation and just spend time for the soul.
These simple measures will help avoid increased blood pressure. But if the tonometer, while feeling normal, continues to show 140 to 90, then it is necessary to find out the reason.