What the authorities say
Is it the actual blood pressure or the increase in blood pressure thats dangerous. My blood pressure goes from the athletic range when off to the normal range when on, is it still a problem.
Yes it seems like a silly question but this stuff seems to constantly evolve.
Here is a link that shows what the world health oraganiztion and the US National Institute of Health have as guidelines:
Healthy Blood Pressure Chart - Low Carb
"Normal: Systolic under 140, Diastolic under 90
Borderline: Systolic under 160, Diastolic under 95
High Blood Pressure: Systolic 160 or above, Diastolic 95 or above
US National Institute of Health
The National Institute of Health (NIH) governs health related issues for the United States.
Optimal: Systolic Less than 120, Diastolic Less than 80
Normal: Systolic Less than 130, Diastolic Less than 85
High-normal: Systolic Less than 140, Diastolic Less than 90
Mild Hypertension: Systolic Less than 160, Diastolic Less than 100
Moderate Hypertension: Systolic Less than 180, Diastolic Less than 110
Severe Hypertension: Systolic 180 or more, Diastolic 110 or more "
So for the US they consider anything between 140/90 to 159/99 as mild hypertension and most docs would treat that. If your family is prone to heart disease I think the docs may push to have yours a bit lower than that. Of course if you have heart condition already then its not a good thing to have your BP that high either.
I your BP is within that range or higer then you should definitely see a doc. All of the BP meds Ive taken have no side effects for me with the exception of beta blockers but those dont tend to be prescribed anymore for just hypertension as far as I know. ACE inhbitors and ARBs have/had no bad effects on me, and so to me I would rather take a small dose of that and have my bp more near the mythical 120/80 than up near 135/90 or so. IMO having a pressure a bit higher like that over a lifetime is going to rack up some damage. Anymore they were talking about making a systolic BP of 130 boarderline hypertension.