Blood pressure 120 over 60 - what does it mean and is it normal or not?

Normally, a healthy person's blood pressure should be 120 over 80.

This pressure is an indicator of good functioning of the cardiovascular system.

If the numbers increase or decrease, then there is a risk of pathologies with the heart or blood vessels.

An increase in tonometer numbers to 125 to 80 or 85 is not an indicator of high blood pressure, but may indicate the appearance of the first signs of a disease. At the same time, this may be a variant of the norm, which depends on many factors.

The danger of this condition

A blood pressure of 125 over 80 or 85 is not a dangerous condition. It may vary depending on the time of day, physical activity, ambient temperature or a person’s lifestyle.

However, high blood pressure may indicate a problem with the cardiovascular system. An increase in blood pressure readings may be the first sign of arterial hypertension. This, in turn, increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Subsequently, a pressure of 125 to 80 can turn into more severe conditions, which are accompanied by an increase in readings to 140/90 and higher. Such figures already indicate stage 1 hypertension.

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When is it necessary to contact a specialist?

If you are in one of the conditions described below, then you need to see a doctor immediately:

• Migraine for several hours, medications cannot relieve the pain.
• Constant dizziness, accompanied by disorientation and loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty breathing; if shortness of breath, mild or severe suffocation appears in a calm state, this indicates an approaching hypotonic crisis.
• A pressing feeling in the chest area, heart pain.
• Tachycardia on a constant basis or attacks throughout the day. When the heart beats strongly, it puts a lot of stress on it. Inelastic vessels may not withstand such pressure and rupture.
• There is noise in the head and ears, vision is impaired, spots appear before the eyes, it gets dark.

For pregnant women and elderly people, such symptoms are especially dangerous and require a quick response. If you cannot fix the problem yourself, and light medications do not raise your blood pressure above 127 over 65, then this is a reason to call paramedics.

How does a person feel?

An increase in blood pressure is always accompanied by a number of symptoms. If the numbers change by 5-10 units, symptoms may be less pronounced or completely absent.

If the numbers change by 10 units or more, then signs appear that can cause serious discomfort or even restrictions on normal life activities.

The main manifestations of pressure 125/80 include:

• chest pain;
• headache, mainly in the back of the head;
• fatigue;
• vision problems;
• labored breathing;
• arrhythmia;
• blood in urine.

A physiological increase in blood pressure does not cause any symptoms. If any disease occurs that causes high blood pressure, the above symptoms will manifest themselves and cause discomfort.

Symptoms

Isolated diastolic hypotension is clinically mild in the early stages. But if in a person’s usual mode the tonometer shows 128 to 85, and then there is a jump, then the symptoms will be:

• Increased heart rate up to 110 beats per minute.
• Dizziness, aggravated by sudden changes in position.
• Aching or shooting headache.
• Fainting against a background of constant weakness and malaise.
• Constant fatigue, inability to perform physical and mental work.
• Increased irritability.
• Pale skin.
• Coldness of the extremities.

Severe symptoms require immediate medical attention or consultation with a doctor. If you have a headache and can’t bear other symptoms of low blood pressure, call an ambulance. Do not take strong medications on your own, as without calculating the dosage you will provoke a hypertensive crisis or a jump in systolic pressure.

Causes

The causes of increased pressure can be both physiological and pathological. Physiological ones include:

• eating a lot of salt;
• smoking;
• stress;
• use of stimulants (coffee, energy drinks, ginseng);
• taking medications;
• excessive alcohol consumption.

Pathological causes indicate the presence of a disease, including:

• obesity and overweight;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• chronic kidney disease;
• disruption of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland;
• apnea.

In addition to general reasons, there are categories of people in whom the error in indicators can be either a variant of the norm or a manifestation of a disease. These include pregnant women and the elderly.

How to normalize

It is necessary to reduce the pressure from 125 to 80 or 85 only if it is caused by pathological reasons and can lead to complications or is observed in a hypotensive person. And also, if accompanied by unpleasant symptoms that interfere with normal life.

Normalization of pressure includes several stages:

1. You need to check the readings again. Perhaps the measurement was taken incorrectly.
2. You should relax and lie down. The head should be higher than the level of the heart; a reclining position is ideal.
3. Provide oxygen access. Unbutton your collar and open the window.
4. Apply a cold compress to the back of your head.
5. You can take a hot foot bath, it will improve blood circulation to the periphery.

This is where first aid ends. If the pressure has not decreased within 20-30 minutes after the start of assistance, you should consult a doctor. He will examine the patient and prescribe, if necessary, the necessary medications.

It is very important not to use medications that lower blood pressure on your own, as they can lead to loss of consciousness or coma.

Is there anything I need to do if my blood pressure is 120/60?

You shouldn’t draw hasty conclusions about the cause of the pressure drop on your own. If you notice indicators of 118 to 60 or close to it, then first assess the condition. If symptoms of illness are present, solve problems one by one. Take a headache pill and lie down if you feel weak.

Do not take medications with hypertensive properties. This will increase your systolic pressure, making you feel worse.

If you experience such pressure regularly, but there are no alarming symptoms, then try to strengthen the body and make its work easier:

1. Eat nutritiously, do not limit yourself by types of foods, but do not overeat.
2. If you are overweight, lose a couple of kilos.
3. Start moving actively - walking in the forest, jogging, daily exercises, aerobics and other feasible exercises are useful.
4. Get enough sleep, don't overwork, take time to relax during the day.
5. Stop smoking, try not to drink alcoholic beverages, especially in large quantities.

During pregnancy, in childhood and adolescence, in case of chronic diseases, self-medication with drugs is not allowed. Strengthen and maintain your body at home, and go to the doctor for medications.

Therapy with a doctor

Increased blood pressure can occur both due to an incorrect lifestyle and due to the appearance of any diseases.

You should consult a doctor if the cause of pressure 125/80 is any disease, or the accompanying symptoms are life-limiting.

If the indicators change after drinking coffee, alcohol or smoking, there is no need to consult a doctor, since the cause was a physiological effect on the body.

The doctor diagnoses and prescribes treatment depending on the root cause of high blood pressure. Treatment typically includes regular exercise, a low-salt diet, and medication.

Drug therapy

There are several types of drugs that are used to treat blood pressure of 125 over 80 or 85. These include:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. They improve heart function and reduce blood pressure.
• Angiotensin receptor blockers. They have vasodilating properties.
• Diuretics. Remove excess salt from the body, relieve swelling.
• Beta blockers. Reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure.
• Calcium channel blockers. Prevents the absorption of calcium into the heart muscle.
• Alpha blockers. Dilate blood vessels.
• Alpha agonists. Reduce the level of renin, which regulates blood pressure.
• Renin inhibitors. Reduce blood pressure and dilate blood vessels.
• Combined drugs. They can have a beneficial effect on the heart, dilate blood vessels and reduce renin levels.

Diuretics are usually the main treatment. They gradually normalize blood pressure and have few side effects.

However, your doctor may prescribe other medications to treat the specific condition that is causing your blood pressure to rise. For example, ACE inhibitors are very widely used in diabetes. If some medications do not help, then alternative medications may be prescribed for treatment.

Home treatment

High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” because it may not cause any symptoms but can wreak havoc on the body. Therefore, it is very important to follow home treatment to avoid complications such as stroke or heart attack.

Comprehensive home treatment includes:

• Physical exercise. 30 to 60 minutes of activity is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Along with this, blood pressure normalizes and body weight decreases. You need to start training gradually, increasing the load.
• Low salt diet. The basis of the diet should be vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Meat, fish and dairy products should be lean and cooked without salt, preferably steamed or baked. Sweets, carbonated drinks, juices and animal fats are strictly limited.
• Using herbs instead of salt. As a rule, many spices already come with salt, so you should pay attention to the label. Provencal or Italian herbs, as well as basil, oregano, dill and parsley, are well suited for cooking.
• Losing excess weight. Excess body weight affects the heart and other organs, so losing weight is important. This will reduce the risk of serious diseases.