More on Blood Pressure Readings

I'm spending a lot of time on the subject of blood pressure because of a personal interest. I am afraid to run or participate in an exercise program because I get an occasional single high blood pressure reading, for example 184/98. My blood pressure reading are usually within what I consider the "normal", blood pressure range. I'm a trained nurse and I know that my fear is unreasonable, but I can't help to feel a twinge of anxiety when I see those high figures. I do not want an unrealistic fear to be a stubbling block for me as I train to run. Too, despite the information that streams out to educate individuals about the importance of taking a daily blood pressure pill, I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what "high" blood pressure actually is. Too often a persons blood pressure reading will be elevated, during activities or because of stress, but that is no reason to punch the panic button. Too often expensive and potentially health damaging medications are prescribed for individuals to take, medications they may not even need! On the other hand if you have hypertension please take that BP medication every day. Exercise, lose weight and cut out some of that salt!

These are some random facts to establish figures that indicate "true" hypertension or "true" hypotension readings are and at what levels of increase or decrease we should consider it an emergency situation.:

What are HIGH systolic and diastolic reading?

Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a stroke
on April 12, 1945. One month before, his
blood pressure was a systolic of 240 and
a diastlic of 180 mm Hg (240/180).
Bis For Bloodpressure

Blood pressure increases in response to the extra requirement of the muscles and organs for oxygen-rich blood during exercise. However, some otherwise healthy individuals may find that their blood pressure reaches excessively high levels during exercise – for example, instead of reaching a systolic blood pressure of around 200 mmHg at maximal exercise rates, they may spike at around 250mmHg or higher.Exercise Hypertension


We had a 260/180 in the ED by machine confirmed by manual. History of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Presented because of two days of nosebleeds. He stated he gets them when his systolic gets over 250 so he came for treatment.
Student Doctor

My mom just had a blood pressure reading of 200/112. We were unnable to get an immediate doctor's apoitment and the next available date is 10 days from now. Would you consider this an emergency and should she go to the emergency room or can we wait until the 16th? The test was done at a free mobile clinic. She has no health insurance hence she will be going to a public clinic.
General Nursing Discussions

If my blood pressure is 172 over 135, should I just go to the doctor or to the hospital?
Just Answer


I went to the doctor today and I had a very high blood pressure reading. I have always been normal. I went to a new doctor for a tetnaus shot and blood test....something that sends me into fits of anxiety. Would the anxiety over the blood test affect the reading? I have never had high blood pressure before...I'm not exactly in the best shape of my life but I do exercise and try to eat healthy. I'm going back on Friday for another reading. But now I'm worried.

Heart Disease

my husband's bp has been high 179 over 110 for months. He feels fine. Should we go to the er?
Health Central

What are Low systolic and diastolic readings?

Postural (orthostatic) hypotension has many causes but is probably the most common and potentially most troublesome psychotropic side-effect (Box 4). Usually defined as a 20 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure after 1–3 minutes of standing upright, it may cause symptomatic underperfusion of vital organs, leading to dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, falls, fractures, seizures, strokes and cardiac ischaemia, especially in elderly people. Fainting usually occurs when mean arterial pressure (diastolic plus 1/3 pulse pressure) drops to 70 mmHg or below, corresponding to an upper-arm blood pressure of 90/60 or less.
Psych Org

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