A blood pressure reading of 164/60 indicates Stage 2 Hypertension (high blood pressure and high risk).
View the fullblood pressure chart to learn more about blood pressure readings.
What does a blood pressure reading of 164/60 mean?
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Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range indicates the need to adjust your blood pressure medications.
Blood pressure readings in this range put you at higher risk for life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. It’s important to your health to lower your blood pressure through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to chronic damage of arteries and organs. Untreated, this can result in enlargement of the heart, heart failure and kidney damage, which may require dialysis.
Unfortunately, many don’t have any symptoms even with very high blood pressure. So it remains important to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.
What to do if your blood pressure reading is 164/60
A blood pressure reading of 164/60 is cause for concern. The first step is to take another reading to confirm your blood pressure.
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You may want to calm down before getting another blood pressure reading. Lie down and rest for a few minutes.
Call the doctor if several readings are at or above 164/60 without any symptoms. A blood pressure reading of 164/60 coupled with symptoms such as headache, nausea, blurry vision, chest pain and shortness of breath point to a hypertensive emergency.
This is a potentially life-threating issue and you should call 911 immediately.
Once you have been assessed by a medical professional there are a number of ways you can address a blood pressure reading of 164/60.
Medications with Blood Pressure of 164/60
Medications can have a big impact on your blood pressure. There are a variety of different types of blood pressure medications available. Following is a short list of each type of medication and what they do to reduce blood pressure.
- Diuretics
Helps rid the body of sodium (salt), which helps control blood pressure. - Beta-blockers
Helps reduce your heart rate, which helps lower blood pressure. - ACE inhibitors
ACE stands for Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme. Helps the body produce less angiotensin, which helps the blood vessels relax and lowers blood pressure. - Angiotensin II receptor blockers
Helps block the chemical that causes blood vessels to narrow, which helps blood vessels stay open and lowers blood pressure. - Calcium channel blockers
Helps lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering smooth muscle cells, which can cause stronger heart contraction and narrow blood vessels. - Alpha blockers
Helps relax certain muscles, which keeps blood vessels open and lowers blood pressure. - Alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
Helps lower blood pressure by inhibiting sympathetic activity. - Central agonists
Using a different nerve path than Alpha and Beta blockers, Central agonists help relax blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. - Vasodilators
Helps dilate (or open) the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.
In addition, ask your doctor if any medications could worsen your blood pressure. Typically this includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin as well as some types of anti-depressant medications.
Talk with your doctor about changing or adjusting the dosage of medications to help bring your blood pressure readings down.
Lifestyle Changes with Blood Pressure of 164/60
Medications can do a lot to reduce high blood pressure but lifestyle changes remain a frontline of defense.
The first step is to monitor your blood pressure on a consistent basis. Purchase a home blood pressure monitor that uses an arm cuff and check your blood pressure every few days. Keep a record of your blood pressure readings and share it with your doctor at your next visit.
Whether you’re checking your blood pressure regularly or not, lifestyle modifications are usually recommended. Lifestyle modifications for those with a blood pressure of 164/60 include the following:
- Stop smoking
- Lose weight
- Increase exercise
- Lower salt intake
- Reduce caffeine
- Limit alcohol
- Alleviate stress
Review your medical plan with a doctor before pursuing lifestyle modifications since each patient may have specific medical conditions that make certain activities dangerous. For instance, your level of physical exercise might be limited by a heart condition.
FAQs
Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130 to 139 mmHg/80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.
What is the lowest blood pressure you can have and still be safe? ›
For most adults, a normal blood pressure is usually less than 120/80 mm Hg. Low blood pressure is blood pressure that is lower than 90/60 mm Hg. Some people have low blood pressure all the time, and it is normal for them.
What happens if your blood pressure is over 160? ›
A hypertensive crisis is a sudden, severe increase in blood pressure. The blood pressure reading is 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. It can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening health problems.
What is a dangerously low blood pressure emergency? ›
A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous. A change of just 20 mm Hg can make you feel dizzy or faint. For example, those symptoms could happen after a drop in systolic pressure from 110 mm Hg to 90 mm Hg. And big drops can be life-threatening.
What is a dangerously low bottom number for blood pressure? ›
But the same was true for heart attacks, heart failure, and death in people with low blood pressure (systolic pressure below 120 mm Hg and diastolic pressure under 70 mm Hg).
What is a stroke level blood pressure? ›
The acute hypertensive response of stroke, defined by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and World Health Organisation (WHO) as a systolic BP level of >140 mmHg and diastolic BP >90 mmHg, or levels above established premorbid baseline levels [Bath et al.
When should you worry about the bottom number of blood pressure? ›
In most cases, the lower your blood pressure, the better. But it's possible that you may have low blood pressure if your readings are lower than 90 systolic mm Hg and 60 diastolic mm Hg. Low blood pressure can be okay in some people, without any noticeable symptoms.
What is an alarming diastolic number? ›
Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80. Stage 1 high blood pressure is when systolic is 130 to 139 or diastolic is 80 to 89. Stage 2 high blood pressure is when systolic is 140 or higher or diastolic is 90 or higher.
What not to eat when BP is low? ›
Thus, excessive consumption of milk and other calcium-rich foods should be avoided. Hypotension individuals require foods with greater salt content. If one has low blood pressure, one should avoid low-sodium meals, like frozen fish, unsalted nuts and seeds, dry peas and beans, and so on.
Should I go to the hospital if my blood pressure is 160? ›
If you are monitoring your blood pressure at home and notice levels regularly above 140/90 OR if you are experiencing symptoms such as severe headaches or changes in vision, contact your doctor immediately and go to the emergency room.
Tricks to Lower Blood Pressure Instantly
- Meditate or focus on deep breathing. Meditation and breathing exercises can help you relax, which slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.
- Reduce your stress levels. ...
- Take a warm bath or shower.
Foods high in salt or added sugars — such as soda and caffeinated drinks, baked goods, and many packaged foods — can contribute to high blood pressure. Limiting or replacing these foods in the diet can help people manage or lower their blood pressure.
What is the lowest BP that is safe? ›
Normal blood pressure is mostly between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. The medical word for low blood pressure is hypotension.
What is the quickest home remedy for low blood pressure? ›
Natural remedies
- Eat more salt. Contrary to popular advice, low sodium diets are not suitable for everyone with blood pressure problems. ...
- Avoid alcoholic beverages. ...
- Discuss medications with a doctor. ...
- Cross legs while sitting. ...
- Drink water. ...
- Eat small meals frequently. ...
- Wear compression stockings. ...
- Avoid sudden position changes.
Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure (lower than 90/60 mm Hg). If your blood pressure gets too low, it can cause dizziness, fainting or death. Low blood pressure is not a condition that is usually treated except if it occurs in the elderly or occurs suddenly.
Is 165 over 60 blood pressure good? ›
Ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. A normal adult blood pressure should be less than 140/90 mmHg. If your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg (or 130/80 mmHg if you have diabetes) then you're considered to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is sometimes called 'hypertension'.
Is 160 over 60 high blood pressure bad? ›
Normal blood pressure is less than 120 on top and less than 80 on the bottom. Prehypertension levels are 120-139 on top and 80-89 on the bottom. High blood pressure, stage 1 is 140-159 on top and 90-99 on the bottom. High blood pressure, stage 2 is 160 or higher on top and 100 and over on the bottom.
Is 165 over 65 high blood pressure? ›
Normal: A BP reading of less than 120/80 mm Hg. Elevated: A consistent systolic reading of 120 to 129 and a diastolic reading below 80 mm Hg. Hypertension stage I: BP ranges from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic. Hypertension stage II: BP ranges above 140 systolic or above 90 diastolic.
Is 160 over 62 good blood pressure? ›
Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic (see blood pressure chart below), and may vary from 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg in a healthy young woman. A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher indicates high blood pressure (hypertension).
