Experts create new blood pressure class
Dear Dr. Donohue: What’s considered normal blood pressure? Mine is 132/88, and the doctor says that is not normal. It doesn’t sound high to me. I asked why he doesn’t prescribe medicine for me if this is not normal, but he didn’t answer. Is he being reasonable? — L.L.
Answer: The latest blood pressure guidelines are more stringent than the former ones. Now a normal pressure is one less than 120 over 80. The first blood pressure number is the systolic pressure, the force imparted to blood as it is ejected from the heart into the circulation. The second number, diastolic pressure, is the pressure in the circulation between heartbeats. Both numbers are important. If only one of them is higher than normal, that still constitutes high blood pressure.
Systolic pressures of 140 to 159 and diastolic pressures of 90 to 99 are designated as stage 1 hypertension (high blood pressure). Elevation of the systolic, the diastolic or both puts a person in the hypertensive range. Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic elevation of 160 or greater and a diastolic of 100 or higher.
That leaves a big gap in blood pressure readings. Systolic readings of 120 to 139 or diastolic readings of 80 to 89 constitute a new class called “prehypertension.” You are in that class.
People with prehypertension don’t need medicines. They do, however, need to make what are called lifestyle modifications. Weight loss, when indicated, is one of those modifications and a very important one. Limiting the use of salt is another. Exercising for 30 minutes a day, every day if possible, brings down pressure. Limiting alcoholic drinks to two a day for men and one a day for women is part of lifestyle modification.
Making sure your diet contains foods with a hefty amount of potassium, magnesium and calcium can also lower blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods include baked potatoes with skin, raisins, bananas, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, spinach, cantaloupe, oranges and orange juice, tomatoes and kidney beans. A good magnesium supply is found in green, leafy vegetables, unpolished grains, nuts and meats. Dairy products are the best source of calcium.
The high blood pressure booklet contains information on all the aspects of this common problem. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 104W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.50 U.S./$6.50 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
Dear Dr. Donohue: My wife and I are 37, and we have four children. We don’t want any more. My wife wants me to have a vasectomy. What if I change my mind later? Can the operation be undone? — M.M.
Answer: Vasectomies can be reversed about 60 percent of the time, but the procedure is demanding and expensive. If men are considering such a method of contraception, they should consider it a permanent method so that decisions are not hastily made.