Medical professionals determine the blood pressure in millimeters of mercury. A high systolic blood pressure level is any number higher than 140. An elevated diastolic blood pressure level is any measurement more than 90. People who measure above these numbers over two or more successive medical screenings are usually diagnosed having stage one hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is a diastolic measure above 100 and a systolic blood pressure level of more than 160. People who have stage 2 hypertension require immediate medical attention. Find out more about dangerously high blood pressure levels.

What Causes This And What Can We Do?

High blood pressure level do not always have a known cause. Nor will an individual with high blood pressure necessarily notice any symptoms. Consequently, hypertension is often described as the “silent killer.” In fact a person can have high blood pressure level for several years without even realizing it. The only way to establish whether or not you have hypertension is with regular medical screenings. It is not until a person develops stage 2 hypertension that they begin to notice that anything is amiss.

A person with highly elevated blood pressure levels may notice a severe headache, queasiness, debility, and blurred vision. If you notice any of these symptoms and you know, or suspect that you might have dangerous high blood pressure levels, go to your health care provider .

The Liability

If hypertension is left untreated it can do significant damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. People with dangerously high blood pressure levels, who do not receive the needed treatment are at very high risk of eye damage, stroke, aneurysm, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and even death. Therefore regular blood pressure screenings from a health care professional are very important.

What Are The Treatment Options?

If two or more successive tests verify that you have hypertension, then there is a much that you can do to improve your condition. A healthy low-fat diet and regular exercise can help to lower your blood pressure. Even a moderate healthy weight loss can help correct the concern of hypertension.

You should also take less salt, cut down on alcohol, and stop your smoking if you partake in any of these habits. Many medications are also available to treat high blood pressure levels. Diuretics are helpful for people with stage one hypertension because they reduce the amount of sodium in the bloodstream and reduce blood volume.

Your health care practitioner may also prescribe calcium channel blockers, which lower high blood pressure levels by reducing the regidity of the the muscles of the artery walls. Beta blockers are another option since they lower the heart rate and decrease the strength of heart contractions to reduce some of the pressure. Then there are ACE inhibitors which inhibit a hormone called angiotensin, which is a chemical that makes the blood vessels tighten and can therefore exacerbate hypertension.

To learn about the full range of medicines available to treat dangerous levels of your blood pressure, talk to your health care practitioner. Alternative programs are also available for natural control of your own blood pressure levels. There are exercises which reduce tension and stress.  Acupuncture and meditation can also reduce your stress levels and bring down your blood pressure levels.