When is Blood Pressure Considered High?
Proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood
pressure is the best way to prevent other related
illnesses, so concern about your blood pressure
can be helpful as long as it doesn't cause additional
stress.
Blood pressure is considered high when it consistently
measures 140 over 90 or greater, although it's
not uncommon for your pressure to fluctuate under
certain circumstances. A diagnosis of high blood
pressure is based on an average of at least three
sets of readings. And it's important to know
that people over 65 occasionally have high systolic pressure
(the top number), coupled with normal or low diastolic pressure
(the bottom number).
If your blood pressure readings have been high
for more than one year and your physician has
had difficulty controlling your blood pressure
with medication and lifestyle changes, it may
be helpful to seek the opinion of a hypertension specialist.
Reviewed by: Emile Mohler, MD
Last Updated: December 2001
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