Understanding 140/91 Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Blood pressure is the force that your blood exerts against the walls of your arteries as it flows through them. When your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries and your heart, which can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. In this article, we'll explore what 140/91 blood pressure means, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

What is 140/91 Blood Pressure?

140/91 blood pressure is considered high blood pressure, also known as stage 1 hypertension. The first number, 140, is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, 91, is the diastolic blood pressure, which measures the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.

When your blood pressure is consistently at or above 140/90, your doctor may diagnose you with hypertension. This means that your heart is working harder than it should be to pump blood through your body, which can put you at risk for serious health problems.

Source: bing.com

Causes of 140/91 Blood Pressure

There are many factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, including:

• Age
• Family history of hypertension
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Stress
• Unhealthy diet
• High salt intake
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Sleep apnea

Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and run some tests to determine the underlying cause of your high blood pressure. Once the cause is identified, your doctor can work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Treating 140/91 Blood Pressure

The goal of treating high blood pressure is to lower your blood pressure to a healthy range and reduce your risk of developing complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Treatment for high blood pressure may include:

• Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and reducing stress
• Medications like diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers

It's important to work closely with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works best for you. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication or lifestyle changes over time to ensure that your blood pressure stays within a healthy range.

Conclusion

High blood pressure is a serious medical condition that can lead to complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. If your blood pressure is consistently at or above 140/90, it's important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing complications. Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and reducing stress can all help lower your blood pressure, as can medications like diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. By working closely with your doctor and making changes to your lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure within a healthy range and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.