A blood pressure reading of 214/83 indicates a Hypertensive Crisis.
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What does a blood pressure reading of 214/83 mean?
Readings above 180 systolic pressure indicate a hypertensive crisis even if your diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges.
Extremely high blood pressure can cause headache, nausea, vision changes, mental confusion, chest pain and shortness of breath. It is considered a hypertensive emergency if you have a blood pressure reading over 185/110 combined with any of these symptoms. Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.
Doctors may also diagnose you with hypertensive urgency when you don’t have any symptoms but your blood pressure remains high. Whether a hypertensive emergency or hypertensive urgency, it’s important to bring your blood pressure down as soon as possible.
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 214/83
A blood pressure reading of 214/83 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 above 210/130 but you have no symptoms. If the doctor isn’t available go to urgent care or an emergency room to be assessed for hypertensive urgency.
A blood pressure reading of 214/83 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 214/83 .
Medications with Blood Pressure of 214/83
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 214/83
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 214/83 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
The term hypertensive crisis is used to describe a quick and severe rise in blood pressure with measurements over 180/120 which can quickly lead to consequences like stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, loss of vision, or respiratory failure.
Should I go to the hospital if my blood pressure is 200 over 90? ›
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. A reading this high is considered “hypertensive crisis.”
What does it mean if your diastolic is over 83? ›
Normal: Less than 120/80. Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80. High blood pressure (hypertension) Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89. High blood pressure Stage 2: Systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher.
What blood pressure level should you go to the hospital? ›
Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include: Numbness or tingling.
What happens to your body when your blood pressure is over 200? ›
Damage to the heart
High blood pressure can cause many heart conditions, including: Coronary artery disease. High blood pressure can narrow and damage the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This damage is known as coronary artery disease.
What BP level is stroke level? ›
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.
What is the fastest thing to lower blood pressure? ›
The fastest ways to safely lower blood pressure include:
- Doing regular exercise.
- Limiting alcohol.
- Stopping smoking.
- Taking your medication as directed.
- Cutting back on salt.
- Drinking more water.
- Eating a banana a day.
- Reducing stress.
Even higher blood pressure (with the systolic blood pressure 180 or higher, the diastolic blood pressure more than 120, or both) is called a hypertensive urgency if there are no related symptoms. Or it's called a hypertensive emergency if there are symptoms indicating damage to the brain, heart, or kidneys.
What is the danger zone for blood pressure? ›
If your systolic is over 180 or your diastolic is above over 120, you may be having a hypertensive crisis, which can lead to a stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage. Rest for a few minutes and take your blood pressure again. If it's still that high, call 911.
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.
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 an unsafe diastolic? ›
The researchers found that among those with systolic blood pressure less than 130, a diastolic blood pressure of less than 60 mm Hg was linked to more heart attacks and strokes. However, those with diastolic values between 70 and 80 mm Hg had the lowest risk of heart disease.
Should I go to the hospital if my blood pressure is 140 over 90? ›
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.
What is the number one food that causes high blood pressure? ›
Salty foods. High sodium consumption can elevate blood pressure. Many people eat too much sodium without realizing it. Highly processed foods and fast foods usually contain excessive amounts of sodium, often more than the 2,300 milligrams a person should consume daily.
How do you feel when BP is high? ›
Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure. Often, these are late signs that high blood pressure has existed for some time, therefore annual checks are recommended for all adults.
What happens when blood pressure is 240? ›
This is a rare form of high blood pressure which is a medical emergency. The blood pressure may rise to extremely high levels, such as 240/140. At these levels there may be blurred vision, headaches and abdominal pain. Stroke, fits and kidney failure may occur over a period of days or weeks.
Should I go to the ER if my blood pressure is 140? ›
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.
How high does blood pressure have to be to be life threatening? ›
Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis. Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these blood pressure numbers. Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems.
What is a dangerously low blood pressure? ›
What is hypotension? 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.
