Big changes in your blood pressure readings over time may be just as harmful as having high blood pressure all the time, according to a new study from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City.
Researchers looked at medical records from nearly 11,000 patients and found that people whose systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) changed a lot between doctor visits were more likely to die earlier than people with more stable readings.
Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. A healthy systolic reading is usually below 120. A reading over 140 is considered high, according to the American Heart Association.
Dr. Brian Clements, the lead researcher of the study, said blood pressure is one of the most important numbers to track when it comes to heart health. “If you notice big changes in your blood pressure between visits, or it’s not well controlled, your risk of serious health problems like stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure goes up,” he explained.
The results of this study were presented at the 2017 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Anaheim, California. The study was inspired by the largest blood pressure trial ever done, known as the ALLHAT trial.
For their research, the team studied patients who had at least seven blood pressure readings recorded between 2007 and 2011 at Intermountain Healthcare facilities. After the seventh reading, each patient was followed for five years. During that time, researchers looked at overall death rates and compared them to the changes in blood pressure readings.
The takeaway is clear: it’s important not only to keep your blood pressure from being too high, but also to avoid big jumps or drops in your readings over time.
Dr. Clements recommends simple steps to help control blood pressure. These include eating healthy food, exercising regularly, and taking medications consistently if prescribed by a doctor.
He also gave advice on how to measure blood pressure correctly at home: sit or lie down for about 15 minutes before taking a reading, avoid stressful activities before measuring, and use a properly sized blood pressure cuff.
Systolic blood pressure usually rises with age. This can be due to stiffer arteries, build-up of plaque in blood vessels, or other heart problems. So it becomes even more important for older adults to keep their blood pressure steady and under control.
The Intermountain team is now looking into why blood pressure changes so much for some people and whether these changes can predict future health risks. Their goal is to help doctors better understand and manage blood pressure to improve patient outcomes.
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