Is 155/96 blood pressure high? 

Is 155/96 blood pressure high? 

155/96 blood pressure is higher than the normal value, which is 120/80. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 155/96 blood pressure is categorised as stage 1 hypertension, which is most commonly the beginning of hypertension. 

However, there could be other factors which can make your blood pressure go high like being stressed out, after a physical activity, being angry or agitated, etc. 

These factors can temporarily make your blood pressure go high, which returns to normal shortly after your state of stress has subsided. 

However, if your blood pressure continues to remain this high, it indicates that you have stepped into the realm of hypertension and you need to talk to your healthcare provider about this. 

High blood pressure can affect your physiological functions silently and can cause deadly consequences. So, it is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly. However, make sure you do not measure it excessively. Doing so can hurt your arm.

What to do if your blood pressure is 155/96? 

155/96 blood pressure is a relatively higher value of blood pressure, but not high enough to seek medical attention right away. However, you do need to consult your healthcare provider if you have never been diagnosed with hypertension before. 

Your doctor will most likely ask you to maintain a blood pressure chart throughout the day for a week to check for any fluctuations, whether high or low. 

You will also be asked to start an antihypertensive medication if dietary or lifestyle changes fail to manage your blood pressure. If you have already been diagnosed and you’re on your meds, but your machine reads 155/96 blood pressure, there are a few things you need to ask yourself:

  • Is your diet healthy enough? 
  • Have you been taking a lot of salt? 
  • Are you taking your medication on time? 
  • Have you been stressed out lately? 

The most important thing that you should do is talk to your doctor. Your blood pressure medication may not be working well if you have been taking it on time. 

If that’s the case, your doctor will either increase the dose or switch you to another medication. Do not stop using your antihypertensive or change the dose or frequency without your doctor’s approval. 

What are the common causes of high blood pressure?

Common causes of high blood pressure include:

  • Poor diet – too much intake of salt and greasy foods
  • Lack of exercise
  • Genetical factors
  • Being overweight or obese 
  • Certain medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
  • Certain medications, such as birth control pills, decongestants, and pain relievers
  • Chronic stress

Final words

To sum up, 155/96 is not too high of blood pressure, but it’s not normal either. If you are already diagnosed with hypertension and are taking the medication properly, you should visit your doctor to talk about the poor management of your BP despite taking the meds. 

There could be other factors as well. If you’re not diagnosed with hypertension, you need to ensure whether or not this is a one-time thing or your BP is constantly high. If it is, you need to consult your provider for a proper prescription to manage your blood pressure effectively.

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References

1.-

Food and Drug Administration. High blood pressure: Understanding the “silent killer” [Internet]. Silver Spring, MD: Food and Drug Administration; 2022 Jan 11 [cited 2022 Nov 4]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/high-blood-pressure-understanding-silent-killer