1 Picture worth 1000 words
This graph shows risk of heart disease with various levels of blood pressure. Note none of the blood pressures are in the hypertensive (high blood pressure) range. That curve would be off the top of the graph. High normal would be 135-140 systolic or 85-90 diastolic. Normal is 120 systolic or 80 diastolic. Optimal is lower than normal down to any numbers (ex 90 systolic or 50 diastolic) as long as it does not make you dizzy or faint.
When you go to your doctor and blood pressure is checked, the first numbers may be 144 / 92. It is repeated a couple times and the last numbers are 138 / 88 and everyone is happy. Look at the chart again and see how happy you really should be!
Fitness and heart healthy eating are the keys to lower blood pressure. It is rare to get optimal blood pressure lowering with 1 or 2 prescription meds and many don’t get there with 3 meds.
Gerald L. Evans, M.D.
I conceive other website owners should take this site as an example , very clean and excellent user friendly style . “One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.” by William Osler.