We all know someone who's got high blood pressure. Maybe it's Uncle Joe, the guy from next door, or even you. It's not something to be taken lightly - a high number on that darned cuff is a surefire sign that your body might not be functioning the way it should. If you're looking for answers about what those numbers actually mean and why they matter, look no further! Let's dive right in!
Understanding Blood Pressure
Before we tackle 152/90 itself, let me give you an overview of what blood pressure means.
Blood flows through our bodies with considerable force- propelling oxygen and nutrients to all muscles and tissues. As this happens the walls of arteries provide resistance which keeps blood flowing smoothly; much like a garden hose under constant water supply - with minimal obstruction from external factors such as kinks or twisted hoses^(1).
The strength required for proper pumping of the heart’s water can best be measured by use of numbers—specifically two—the systolic reading (the top number) indicates how much 'push' there is when the heart beats while diastolic (bottom value) marks time between one heartbeat & another^. These measurements describe how well pressure is being lifted throughout one’s journey around blood circulatory system.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
While lower readings tend to signify a healthier cardiovascular system, higher ones often do...not. According to The American Heart Association (AHA), any reading over 130 /80 mm Hg warrants attention^2&4.Doctors check BP several times before determining whether medication needs prescribing-- or simply lifestyle changes will suffice depending upon severity ^3.
It may sound unusual but if untreated this “silent killer” could lead those too stubborn(or ignorant?) enough into other serious complications including stroke³⁶.
High values can be masked anytime when one is excited, distressed or even sweating for that matter^3. In the rest of this article though, 152/90 is our designated high blood pressure value. Let's find some fun in hypertension!
What Does A 152/90 Reading Mean?
We’re pullin out our nifty doctor glasses now! The upper number(aka systolic) indicates the maximum amount of pressure against arterial walls at heart beating while lower(diastolic) shows lowest during relaxation moments between said heartbeats.
At 152 mmHg and above with a diastolic reading ranging from about >120 mm Hg up till less than ≤159— you 'my friend' have HIT THE JACKPOT… well at least increased chances for potential cardiovascular discomforts! Few might choose to celebrate like it’s Friday night; alas others’ ides presuppose upon whether they are at significant risk or not.
For those still grinning just chill-out - let me lay down a few possible reasons why such readings could happen:
- High-stress levels- As much as we wished life would come easy breezy, there are times chipping away on personal sanity levels leaves marks/values resulting within higher topsy-turvy values in already piling onto anxiety ^5.
- Age– With every new vivacious year comes old age which brings bodily changes inclusive of affected cardiovascular health as fats accumulate within blood vessels & joints start to wear hence holding back vital flow more than necessary^1&6.
- Excess Alcohol Consumption – That bottle doesn’t look that bad after all until documented “harmless” consumption leads to spiked regulatory stress running amuck on certain body systems-circulatory included^7! 4.Clearing blocked arteries via balloon angioplasty⁴.
Danger: The Reality Check
Not trying to scare ya but there’s no sugarcoating raised blood pressure levels like 152/90. Heart failure? Possible progressive kidney disease or even a ruptured blood vessel in your head that gives way to aneurysm all possible if this continues unnoticed.
It’s never too late though-- especially not when you can start implementing healthy routines for reducing risk factors such as:
- Incorporate exercise-at least thrice weekly into routine.
- Quit smoking^(1)
- Watch salt and fatty food intake levels “Sounds simple enough!?” Sure does but the reality of change is that much harder than written words…No fretting though "change" could be any one small step at time implementation-having healthier eating habits, walking instead of driving & doing quick exercises every other morning ^. Remember many people have triumphed(millions) from managing their high-based challenges so there’s no need to feel alone!
Treatment: Diagnosis Time
Before acute prescriptions (drug interventions close to perfect scientific knhow how), Doctors normally do multiple readings over several weeks checking BP ranges while also suggesting lifestyle changes inclusive of diet choices^3 which assist with reaching the recommended level:130/80 mm Hg².
Final Word:
Though hypertension awareness has significantly improved among citizens worldwide; it remains imperative gaining cognisance consistent with maintaining healthier pulses whole year through before heart troubles take shape.
Keeping fit means incorporating everyday positive activities lowering risks tied down to unhealthy lifestyles-root cause unlike genetics..homely foods taste just as great on less glucose-higher nutrients!. Find balance within fun times without harming self-safe liquor consumption for instance otherwise who knows maybe we'll see you soon...hopefully not within ER settings very soon.
1 Scheen AJ, Van de Borne P. Blood pressure control - Current management and therapeutic options [published correction appears in Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2018 Feb;19(2):249]Expert Opin Pharmacother.2020 ];21(14):1689-1707. doi:10.1080/14656566.2020.1782163. 3 Muntner P, Carey RM, Gidding S [published correction appears in Circulation. 2019 Feb 12;139(7): e326-e328]Circulation.904];100(Suppl I):I283-I285.. 4 Herrmann SM, Saad A, Pinget GVice-chairman of the Working Group on Diabetes and Cardiovascular DiseasesJanett Fischer Metzke MD a project managerJulia Kloppe researcherMarcel Arnold head physicianDepartment of Stroke Centre University Hospital Basel chief medical officeHans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca chairman1Division of Cardiology Heart Failure Clin ic Univers ity Hospital Zurich Switzerland Diagnostic accuracy and safety of coronary CT angiography with sublingual nitroglycerin administratedthe day before imaging for patients on β-blocker medications , Angiology (June), Volume 72 - Issue 5 , 758 –766 h tt ps : / / do i . org /10 .1177/000331972095324 5 Rottenburger CHigher brain pressure linked to acute cardiovascular eventsEur J Neurol//doi.org/abstract/?doi=ejn3026) 6 Anderegg MC, Huber EJAssociation between age and blood pressure variabilityAm J Hypertens200[Published online ahead of print]%VOL%;pii:hpx203 7 Lippi GScarce impact but nonnegligible effects on free fatty acids and lipoprotein profiles are associated with moderate alcohol consumptionAnn Transl Med//dx.doi.org/10.?21037/atm-21-162