Blood pressure of 160 over 50 (160 over 60 or 160 over 70) is often taken as the maximum permissible norm, without paying any attention to vascular indicators and the difference between them. But in this case, each indicator of the activity of the cardiovascular system has its own meaning, which does not fit into the concept of a generally accepted norm.
What does BP mean?
A pressure of 160 over 70 is called second-degree systolic hypertension. This is a fairly serious disease that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years of life. The normal blood pressure for a person of any age is 120/80 mm Hg. Art. If the level of the lower indicator is close to ideal, then a deviation of 40 mm for the upper indicator means overstrain of the heart muscle at the time of pumping blood.
Depending on age, systolic hypertension carries the following dangers:
- increased blood flow in an elderly person leads to serious complications in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, since in elderly people the vessels are worn out due to age-related changes;
- for an adult the pressure is 160 to 70 mm Hg. Art. is also a reason to consult a doctor. Women suffer from hypertension less often than men, since they monitor their lifestyle more carefully and as long as the menstrual cycle is not disrupted, pressure changes are quite rare for them;
- A child's developing body also finds it difficult to tolerate sudden changes in pressure, and this condition can pose a significant threat to the health of children.
A reading of 160/70 is dangerous regardless of age.
Are such indicators dangerous?
Arterial hypertension of the second degree is a very serious disease that requires constant medical consultation. The fact is that increased blood flow significantly increases the risk of developing pathologies of the cardiovascular and other systems by up to 20%. The list of disorders that hypertension leads to includes:
- stroke;
- heart attack;
- heart failure;
- renal failure.
Each of these diseases can lead to death. However, this is not a verdict. Arterial hypertension of the second degree is easy to treat - you just need to consult a doctor in time.
Is blood pressure 160/50, 160/60 and 160/70 dangerous?
In order to answer the question posed, it is necessary to consider each of the vascular indicators separately. For example, a systolic pressure of 160 units indicates strong heart contractions and increased release of blood into the bloodstream. This increase in upper (heart) pressure can trigger a heart attack or stroke. Even a periodic increase in upper blood pressure to figures of 160 units indicates age-related deterioration of blood vessels or their mechanical overstrain, serious stress on the myocardium, venous obstruction, impaired circulation and the development of many cardiac pathologies.
A lower reading of 50, 60,70 units with an upper systolic heart pressure of up to 130 units does not cause concern. But when the SBP level exceeds 140 units (the maximum permissible norm), the likelihood of the formation of many pathologies increases. Since diastolic pressure is also called renal pressure, first of all, it is necessary to examine the kidneys, their blood supply and blood flow (renal veins), as well as the thyroid gland and spinal column due to possible compression of the vessels supplying the organs.
However, the most dangerous in such a situation is the pulse difference, which reaches extremely high numbers: 110,100,90 units, which significantly deviates from the maximum permissible norm of 40-50 units. The pulse difference characterizes the speed of blood movement through the capillaries. It is at this level that oxygen and nutrients are released to the cells. If microcirculation slows down, that is, the pulse difference drops below normal, the cells are fed unevenly. If the pulse difference is too large, the cells do not have time to receive anything at all and die.
Thus, blood pressure 160/50, 160/60 or 160/70 is the cause of ischemia and hypoxia of tissues and organs. The only normal variant for this pressure may be in older people due to age-related changes in the blood vessels. In this case, no correction is required.
Reasons
The main cause of isolated hypertension is the unhealthy lifestyle typical of residents of large cities. Possible trigger factors include:
- excess weight;
- lack of sleep;
- an abundance of fatty, salty or sweet foods in the diet;
- stress;
- lack of physical activity;
- physical inactivity.
All of the above reasons are indeed more typical for residents of modern cities.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hypertension seriously affect a person’s performance and morale. The following ailments may indicate increased blood pressure:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- trembling fingers;
- facial redness;
- chest pain;
- blurred vision.
And also read on our website: What to do and what to take when the blood pressure is 180 to 100, what the dangers are and how to bring down high blood pressure?
It is also worth noting headache as a separate, natural symptom of hypertension. If you have a headache, feel free to take aspirin, it will alleviate or eliminate this ailment.
General information
Blood pressure (BP) characterizes the state of the cardiovascular system at the time blood passes through it. It represents a mechanical effect on the walls of blood vessels of moving volumes of blood.
Do not self-medicate. Consult a specialist:
Blood pressure is determined by two indicators: upper and lower. The upper, also known as systolic, pressure determines the vascular tone at the moment of heart contraction. The lower one, that is, diastolic, on the contrary, determines the state of the vessels at the moment of relaxation of the heart muscle.
Pulse
The pulse of a healthy person varies from 60 to 80 beats per minute. With hypertension, an increased pulse indicates possible pathologies in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. A decrease is observed in hypertensive patients who have taken antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, if your blood pressure rises to 160/70 and your heart rate increases, consult a doctor immediately.
Also, tachycardia can occur with excessive physical exertion, but in this case the heart rate will return to normal on its own after a few minutes.
First aid
If a person suddenly feels a sharp deterioration in health and associates this with an increase in blood pressure, it is necessary:
- put the patient to bed, limit movements, ensure peace;
- measure blood pressure, pulse, call an ambulance if necessary (BP 160/50, 160/60 or 160/70);
- open the windows;
- loosen tight clothing;
- give sedative drops: Corvalol;
- for retrosternal discomfort or tachycardia - Nitroglycerin under the tongue.
In this case, you cannot take antihypertensive drugs, since along with the upper one, the lower vascular indicator will also decrease, and it is already critical.
What to do with such blood pressure?
First aid for hypertension does not depend on the patient’s age group. Providing it at home will not be difficult if you know the algorithm for the necessary actions:
- Assist the patient into a semi-recumbent position.
- Provide a flow of fresh air into the room.
- Take an extra dose of antihypertensive drugs if they were previously prescribed by your doctor.
- Measure your blood pressure every 20 minutes. If after taking the actions your condition does not return to normal, call an ambulance immediately!
For headaches, take analgin, and for chest pain, nitroglycerin. Do not exceed the dose of antihypertensive medications under any circumstances - a sudden drop in pressure can lead to serious complications.
What medications to take
There are several groups of drugs to lower blood pressure. The doctor will choose a medicine that is suitable specifically for you and will correspond to the characteristics of your body.
Sedative medications
The effect of sedatives is to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They will help you isolate yourself from sources of stress and relax.
However, it is worth knowing that they do not have any direct effect on blood circulation, although the treatment of hypertension consists of both relieving psychological stress and lowering blood pressure with medications. Examples of sedatives for hypertensive patients are:
- Afobazole;
- Glycised;
- Valerian;
- Motherwort.
And also read on our website: What to do if the pressure is 100 to 100, why is it dangerous and what are the pulse values?
Despite the lack of a direct antihypertensive effect, these drugs can reduce the likelihood of an increase by affecting the nervous system.
Analgesics and antispasmodics
If you suffer from hypertension, you should be careful in choosing analgesics. A side effect of many of them is an increase in blood pressure, so before taking any drug, read the instructions for its use or consult your doctor.
Also, analgesics can have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the kidneys and liver, as they can be toxic. The following analgesics may increase blood pressure:
- Citramon;
- Rrigand-d;
- Kaffetin.
If there are no special means to lower blood pressure at hand, it is permissible to use the following antispasmodics:
- No-shpa;
- Papazol;
- Spazmolgon.
Decoctions of cumin or fennel will also help get rid of cramps.
Diuretics
Diuretics are the first-line drugs for lowering blood pressure, since its increase is often caused by excess fluid in the body. The following diuretics may be prescribed by your doctor:
- Furosemide;
- Spironolactone;
- Veroshpiron.
Diuretics are also actively used for liver and kidney diseases to remove accumulated fluid and toxins.
Blood pressure norms
Blood pressure has its own norm for each age. For example, the norm characteristic of a teenager will be a sign of hypotension for an elderly person.
To determine your normal pressure, a special formula has been developed.
So, for children from 7 years of age until young people reach the age of 20 years, the normal pressure is calculated using the following formula: systolic pressure is equal to a factor of 1.7 multiplied by age, plus 83. Diastolic pressure is equal to a factor of 1.6 multiplied by age, plus 42.
Thus, if you suspect that a child has a jump in pressure in one direction or another, using this formula you can independently determine the norm and proceed from the result obtained.
For an adult, a different coefficient is applied: systolic pressure is equal to 0.4 times age, plus 109. Diastolic pressure in this case is equal to 0.3 times age, plus 67.
Below is an example of blood pressure norms for different age categories:
- From 1 year to 10 years: normal blood pressure is 95 per 60 mm Hg. Art.;
- From 10 to 15 years: the norm will rise and is a limit of indicators from 95 to 60 mm Hg. Art. up to 110 at 70mm Hg. Art.;
- From 16 to 20 years: the norm is considered to be blood pressure readings from 110 to 70 mm Hg. Art. up to 120 at 80mm Hg. Art.;
- From 21 to 40 years: for this category of people, generally accepted indicators are between 120 and 70 mm Hg. Art. up to 130 at 80 mm Hg. Art.;
- From 41 to 60 years - the normal blood pressure readings are even higher than 140 per 90 mm Hg. Art.;
- From 61 to 70 years – the indicators rise to the level of 140-147 by 85 mm Hg. Art.;
- Over 71 years of age: during this period of life, indicators such as 147 per 85 mm Hg are typical. Art.
These standards are generally accepted throughout the world, but in practical medicine there is also such a thing as “working pressure”.
This is the name for increased or decreased blood pressure, according to the age norm, at which a person feels good and does not have any problems with disruption of his rhythm of life.
