High blood pressure is a condition that occurs when an individual’s blood pressure is higher than normal. Now, the stage just before the onset of the disease also has a name: pre-hypertension.
What is pre-hypertension?
Like diabetes, which before appearing exists in the form of pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension is the moment when an individual experiences an increase in blood pressure, without being considered sick.
“Pre-hypertension is not really a pathology unlike high blood pressure. It is a slight elevation in blood pressure, considered a warning sign of hypertension”
confirms Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical.
What are the pre-hypertension values?
It is the European Society of Cardiology which established this nuance, in its latest recommendations. This stage must be monitored, to limit the patient’s cardiovascular risks and the possible appearance of hypertension.
In fact, hypertension is present when blood pressure exceeds 140-90 mmHg (or 14/9 in common parlance).
And “we speak of pre-hypertension if the blood pressure is between 120-139 mmHg (systolic) and 80-89 mmHg (diastolic)”
explains our expert.
What to do if you have pre-hypertension?
“Pre-hypertension usually does not cause symptoms“adds the doctor.”It is detectable only by measuring blood pressure and can progress to hypertension.
Its prevalence will increase with age, lifestyle (excessive consumption of salt, alcohol, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, etc.) and stress. But good news,prehypertension is a reversible condition, through lifestyle changes” assures the doctor. He therefore recommends, if you are concerned:
- To opt for a balanced diet (like the DASH diet);
- To practice regular physical activity;
- Reduce your salt and alcohol consumption;
- To work on managing your stress;
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
“And in certain cases, drug treatment may be considered, particularly in patients at high cardiovascular risk.” concludes Dr. Kierzek.