From the Guidelines
A diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher is considered elevated, with 80-89 mmHg indicating Stage 1 hypertension and 90 mmHg or above indicating Stage 2 hypertension, as per the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines 1.
Classification of Diastolic Blood Pressure
The classification of diastolic blood pressure is as follows:
- Normal: less than 80 mmHg
- Elevated: 80-89 mmHg (Stage 1 hypertension)
- Stage 2 hypertension: 90 mmHg or above This classification is based on the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, which aim to simplify the categorization of blood pressure and capture more of the blood pressure-related risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) 1.
Importance of Accurate Measurement
It is essential to obtain accurate measurements of blood pressure, as this is fundamental to categorizing blood pressure, ascertaining blood pressure-related CVD risk, and managing hypertension 1. The guidelines recommend obtaining an average of at least 2 readings on at least 2 separate occasions to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension.
Lifestyle Modifications and Treatment
Lifestyle modifications, such as reducing sodium intake, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and stress management, are first-line interventions for elevated diastolic blood pressure 1. If these measures do not sufficiently lower blood pressure, medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics may be prescribed, depending on the individual's specific health profile.
Key Points
- Elevated diastolic blood pressure is a concern, as it indicates that arteries remain under high pressure even between heartbeats, which can damage blood vessel walls over time and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
- Accurate measurement of blood pressure is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Lifestyle modifications and treatment should be tailored to the individual's specific health profile.
From the Research
Definition of Elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure
Elevated diastolic blood pressure refers to a condition where the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is higher than the normal range.
- The normal range for diastolic blood pressure is typically considered to be less than 80 mmHg 2.
- A diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or higher is generally considered elevated 2, 3.
Target Blood Pressure Values
The target blood pressure values for hypertensive patients are:
- Less than 140/90 mmHg for most patients 2, 4.
- Less than 130/80 mmHg for patients with diabetes mellitus 5.
Reducing Diastolic Blood Pressure
Several classes of antihypertensive medications have been shown to be effective in reducing diastolic blood pressure, including: