Lesson Two - Cardio-Pulmonary
Stages of Rising Blood Pressure
Click each of the coloured tabs to view the stages of rising blood pressure.
Systolic blood pressure between 120 and 129 with diastolic blood pressure below 80 is considered elevated. Elevated blood pressure does not need medication, but should be taken as a warning sign to make some lifestyle changes to try to keep
the patient's blood pressure from going higher. A balanced, healthy diet, regular exercise, and good stress management can help keep elevated blood pressure from becoming hypertension.
At this stage, there will probably not be any signs or symptoms that there is a potential problem.
At this stage, there will probably not be any signs or symptoms that there is a potential problem.
Pixabay
Someone who has an average systolic blood pressure of 130–139, or average diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89, will be diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension. The older the patient is, the greater the risk of developing hypertension and
heart disease.
Treatment starts with lifestyle changes. If the patient is at low risk for heart disease, the doctor might wait to follow up with the patient in three to six months, after they have adopted a healthier lifestyle. A doctor would likely follow up with higher-risk patients within just one month. What the doctor decides to do and how often they follow up with the patient is on a case-by-case basis, and any two cases are handled differently based on the doctor's professional judgement.
Treatment starts with lifestyle changes. If the patient is at low risk for heart disease, the doctor might wait to follow up with the patient in three to six months, after they have adopted a healthier lifestyle. A doctor would likely follow up with higher-risk patients within just one month. What the doctor decides to do and how often they follow up with the patient is on a case-by-case basis, and any two cases are handled differently based on the doctor's professional judgement.
Pixabay
If making changes to a healthier lifestyle is not enough to decrease the patient’s blood pressure to a healthy level, then the doctor will likely recommend medication.
At this stage, there will probably not be any signs or symptoms of a problem.
If systolic blood pressure is 140 or more, or diastolic blood pressure is 90 or more, the patient is considered to have Stage 2 hypertension.
If blood pressure reaches Stage 2, the patient will be told to make lifestyle changes and be put on medication to control their hypertension.
At this stage, signs or symptoms of a problem may still go unnoticed.
If blood pressure reaches Stage 2, the patient will be told to make lifestyle changes and be put on medication to control their hypertension.
At this stage, signs or symptoms of a problem may still go unnoticed.
Pixabay
If blood pressure is not adequately controlled, it can lead to a hypertensive crisis. A hypertensive crisis is a systolic reading over 180 or a diastolic reading over 120. Urgent care is needed for anyone whose blood pressure reaches
this level.
Blood pressure that is this high can be accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- visual changes
- symptoms of stroke
- blood in the urine
- dizziness
- headache
Pixabay