High Blood Pressure, more commonly known as hypertension and often also referred to as the “silent killer” is a serious medical condition and can lead to severe complications, if left untreated. High blood pressure is common as you age, and to avoid severe complications, taking precautionary measures is necessary. And if you’re wondering, the term “silent killer” comes from the fact that complications arise without any noticeable symptoms and can lead to fatal stages. 

So for early detection and management, it is required for you to understand the four stages of hypertension. Differentiating the stages of high blood pressure is needed to understand the different levels of blood pressure reading and their corresponding risk. Learning about the hypertension stages and classifications can help detect early and prepare for how to manage the condition at different stages.

Understanding the 4 Stages of Hypertension

Normal

When your systolic pressure is under 120 mmHg and your diastolic pressure is under 80 mmHg, it is the ideal normal blood pressure for an adult. The value changes slightly for men and women, but this range is a fair way to calculate if you have normal blood pressure or not.

If you have normal blood pressure, you are healthy and will feel energetic and have no immediate health concerns unless you have other underlying health conditions. Normal blood pressure is also an indicator of an active lifestyle and healthy management of stress levels.

Elevated

Elevated blood pressure indicates your systolic pressure is ranging between 120 - 129 mmHg, but your diastolic pressure has not increased beyond 80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure can be temporary if you are going through stress in your life right now.

It is not alarming at the moment and doesn’t require medical attention as of yet. However, if the condition doesn’t resolve itself over time, it can lead to hypertension. So, it is crucial that you look into lifestyle changes to help relieve your elevated blood pressure promptly. It will help you maintain your health and keep yourself safe from the risk of hypertension.

Stage 1 Hypertension

Stage 1 hypertension is when your systolic pressure ranges between 130 - 139 mmHg and your diastolic pressure is between 80 - 89 mmHg. If your blood pressure is in this range, in most cases, it is due to underlying health conditions or a very highly stressful life situation.

In any case, you should get medical help if you are suffering from stage 1 hypertension. Doctors can prescribe medication that can help you control your blood pressure and help you manage your condition. It is also a great time to improve your diet and lifestyle to help your condition from worsening. Remember, hypertension treatment is only as effective as the lifestyle changes you make to maintain your health.

Stage 2 Hypertension

Stage 2 hypertension is the final stage of hypertension where the body’s systolic blood pressure ranges over 140 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure ranges over 90. If you don’t take care of your health, stage 2 hypertension can increase your risk for cardiovascular diseases and conditions like stroke and heart attacks, which can be fatal. 

With that being said, doctors use a wide range of medicines to help you control your condition even including therapy if that is needed to manage any emotional distress you are facing currently. To make sure you are healthy, you also need to maintain a steady and healthy diet, matched with regular exercising and yoga.

How To Manage The Different Stages of Hypertension

Managing hypertension takes active effort from your end. There are various lifestyle changes and dietary changes, you need to go through to keep your condition from worsening. Do note that uncontrolled hypertension can put your life at risk, so you need to start with lifestyle changes as early as possible for the best results. Here are some of the best practices that can help you improve your health.

• Eating a healthy diet focusing on vegetables that are dark green and leafy.
• Working out regularly, even if that is going out for walks every day.
• Cutting down on your consumption of red meat and alcohol.
• Lower your regular sodium consumption.
• Make sure your body mass index is not under or overweight.
• Try taking a break from things that cause you stress.
• Consider and quit smoking. You can take the help of your doctors if you need it. They can help you out.

These lifestyle changes alone should be enough to keep you healthy if you have normal or elevated blood pressure. However, if you have any of the hypertension stages, you need to get medical attention and use these lifestyle changes alongside the medications your doctor prescribes. Make sure you have your medications on time as it will help you manage your condition a lot better without unintended side effects.

Conclusion

Now that you know about the four stages of hypertension, it is important that you keep a close check on your blood pressure levels. Regular health checkups, if you are over the age of 35, should be a great way to start out. 

And if you visit top medical facilities like MASSH that thrive on preventive care, you will be able to diagnose your condition early with screening tests and go through easy treatment with simple lifestyle and dietary changes based on your case. To learn more about our treatment processes, visit our specialized hypertension clinic at MASSH today.