High blood pressure or low blood pressure?

People know they should find time to check their blood pressure (BP), usually milder.

Both are spread via contaminated food and/or water.

 Grade 1 : 140-159/ 90 mmHg 

 Grade 2 : 160/ 90 mmHg

If you are on antihypertensive medications, according to the British hypertension society guidelines, optimal target blood pressure values are:

Clinic measurements:

•   No diabetes ;140/85 mmHg
•   With Diabetes ;130/80 mmHg

Mean day time ambulatory or home measurement :

•   No diabetes ;130/80 mmHg

•   With Diabetes ;130/75 mmHg

Usually, these values would be achieved over a period of time (up to 3 months) except in some severe cases( hypertensive emergencies) where the blood pressure has to be brought low over a short time. However , if you are in doubt that your medications are effective, you would need to have your physician review them.

The next time you check your BP, ensure you ask for the value so that you would know to what category you belong.