Blood pressure 126/60 good?

Brocksterdanza

Recently I was at Walmart and did the blood pressure machine. It was reading about 135/90 to 140/90. After hearing those are not accurate due to calibration and my bicep size, my wife told me to get my school nurse to check it ( I'm a teacher). She checked it today and it was 126/60. Is that a good healthy bp for an active 35 year old male that weighs 230? Thanks

p4ulmiller

Healthy BP depends on a whole load of factors.

What did the nurse say?

WBB55

I would definitely not be happy with those numbers personally. 126/60 isn't terrible, but regular readings of 135/90 would concern me personally in myself or anyone I loved.

Brocksterdanza

Nothing at all. Just told me what it was. I assume that meant it was good.

WBB55

Anything above 120 for the top number and above 80 for the bottom number is something to watch. Do you regularly see a family doctor for annual physicals and things like that?

SezxyStef

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp

Try this link...at 126/60 because your Systolic number is above 120 you are considered pre hypertensive but your diastolic is at 60 ...so that is not but on this chart is says or not and...

Mine normally runs 90/60....which is on the low end and not fun...if I don't stay hydrated I get dizzy spells and weakness....

Brocksterdanza

I generally do not go do dr unless I'm sick etc. but when I do go, they have never mentioned high bp. I went to nurse again and she said that was a very good bp. Very healthy range. She said that the higher number isn't as telling as lower number. She said a healthy lower number is the key. She said mine was very healthy.

On another note, what can be done to bring down that top number?

Papillon22

I don't know about bringing down the top number, you should ask you Dr. Usually, you have to monitor your sodium intake to bring BP down.
I was worried about my BP as well, and decided to get a blood pressure monitor and take it at home every day at the same time. The directions say to take it not before after 30 mins of eating/exercising.

Slasher09

Blood pressure can be different different times of the day and affected by caffeine, if you ate higher sodium, if you smoked, if you were stressed etc. If you are getting regular readings of 140/90 or 135/90 you should examine your diet. Sodium, cigarettes, inactivity and obesity are the most common reasons for bp being elevated. You can try reducing salt, etc and see if it get's better. 126 for a top number is not bad. This is what the doc I work for tells patients......

Top Number:

90-120= Normal
120-130= Higher end of normal-very slightly elevated
130-140= Elevated, possible pre-hypertension
140+= Hypertension (high bp)

Bottom Number:
60-80= Normal
80-85= Higher end of normal- slightly elevated
85-90= Elevated, possible pre-hypertension
90+= Hypertension

Based on this we would consider someone 140/90 to have high bp. That number in itself wouldn't make us worry you were about to drop but sustained over a long period of time (and with other risk factors) isn't good.

Hope that helps

WBB55

What can be done to bring down that top number?

I'm not saying you should worry, per se. Just keep an eye on it. My own heart would be flying out of my chest at a reading of 140/90. Have her check it once a week. Or get your own cuff.

DaveInFL

I have also heard that the bottom number is more important. I normally hover at around 120(ish) for the top number but the bottom number is always around 70. My Dr has never mentioned any issues with my blood pressure, then again I don't tend to go unless I have a problem...but will go for a physical/check up in March, which hopefully by then I'll be several pounds lighter too