Blood Pressure 118/79: What Does It Indicate?

Blood Pressure 118/79: What Does It Indicate?

Blood Pressure 118/79: What Does It Indicate?

blood pressure 118/79

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD | Medically reviewed by Robin Backlund, BHSc Last update:

What does a 118/79 blood pressure mean?

The blood pressure reading 118/79 indicates that the person in question has an ideal blood pressure.

According to a study “Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure” from Boston University School of Medicine published in 2003 on Journal of Hypertension, if a person has blood pressure within the range of [90/60] and [120/80], it means that the person has perfect blood pressure.

Here is a blood pressure chart according to the latest guidelines of American Heart Association (AHA).

By extension, the blood pressure value of 118/79 mmHg means that the person is not at a prominent risk of any heart disease. Their heart is functioning the way a healthy person’s heart should, which is significantly beneficial for them.

Ideal blood pressure is the state in which the blood flowing through the blood vessels applies just the right amount of pressure to the vessel walls and the heart.

As a result of this, the heart can pump blood to all parts of the body quite effectively. 118/79 signifies that the lifestyle you have adapted to is well-supported by your body and health.

Furthermore, if you were to maintain the same lifestyle, it would reduce the potential risk of chronic heart disease in your life.

Having healthy blood pressure can improve your overall health in more ways than one. Some of the benefits supported by your body for having ideal blood pressure include the following.

  • An ideal blood pressure protects you from imminent risks of heart problems.
  • It is an indication that you are not suffering from diabetes and that your endocrine glands are functioning perfectly.
  • Ideal blood pressure helps you maintain the ideal body weight for you.
  • Having an ideal blood pressure relatively decreases the possibility of heart and kidney failure.
  • It will help in the regulation of minerals within your body.
  • Ideal blood pressure decreases the possibility of stroke for you.

What should you do if you have 118/79 blood pressure?

Here is a set-by-step procedure to follow when you figure out you have a blood pressure of 118/79 mmHg.

  1. Verify blood pressure with a doctor
  2. Maintain blood pressure with healthy habits
  3. Avoid unnecessary medications
  4. Craft a balanced blood pressure-friendly diet
  5. Evaluate the need for additional heart health tests
  6. Support with natural supplements

1. Verify blood pressure with a doctor

If your blood is 118/79 and you have checked the same in your home setup, it is highly recommended to get it checked at your doctor’s office.

A trained professional has to clinically assess your condition and confirm that your 118/79 is, in fact, clinically valid.

There are instances when your reading at home setup might give you a reading which is incorrectly reported. It could be because of an error in reading it, damage to your device, your physical or mental condition on that particular day, etc.

Therefore, a doctor has to assess it over the course of 7 – 30 days periodically before he/she can confirm the accurate stage of your blood pressure.

In a study “Masked and white coat hypertension, the double trouble of large arteries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis” from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, published in 2020 in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, Christina Antza and his team found something interesting about blood pressure readings.

Sometimes, when people are at the doctor’s office, their blood pressure reads high, but it’s normal when they check it elsewhere. They call this white coat hypertension.

On the flip side, some folks show normal readings at the doctor’s but have high readings at home or other places. This is known as masked hypertension.

All these conditions are linked to physiology and psychology and, therefore, better to be validated by a doctor.

2. Maintain blood pressure with healthy habits

The blood pressure readings of 118/79 mmHg are relatively good, even taking into consideration the entire range of the ideal blood pressure.

But just because it is good now does not mean that things won’t change over time. Considering that distinct possibility, you should stick to a lifestyle that will help keep you fit and support your health.

According to Harvard Health Publication “6 simple tips to reduce your blood pressure”, below are some of the ways to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

  • Try to maintain that it is in equilibrium with your age and lifestyle.
  • Eat healthy meals and exercise regularly.
  • Regulate the consumption of salts.
  • Support the intake of natural supplements whenever you feel those to be necessary for your body.
  • Take proper rest every day. Your rest and sleep should be priorities for you.
  • Quit smoking and keep your alcohol consumption in a check.
  • Do not subject yourself to excess stress and anxiety, or this might turn into an emotional burden for you.

3. Avoid unnecessary medications

At this stage, you don’t need any medications and all thanks to those perfect numbers you have seen.

All you can do is indulge in a healthy amount of workouts and other physical activities with a good watch over general health.

Routine health checkups and periodic blood pressure measurements are critical at this stage, which is what most people miss doing firsthand.

A study “Is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Effective for People with Hypertension? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 30 Years of Evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” from the University of Pisa published in 2021 found that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction might be useful in managing your blood pressure levels. You may incorporate techniques like yoga and meditation at this stage to keep your blood pressure healthy at all times.

Unlike people with hyper or hypotension, you don’t need to actively regulate your blood pressure; however, passive efforts to indirectly keep it under control shall be followed.

Water pills and diuretics are sometimes recommended by doctors after assessing the electrolyte concentration in your body. However, in most cases, you may also don’t want it.

If you are a little lazy to hit the gym for your cardio, then we have included some products in the dietary supplement class that you can consider.

4. Craft a balanced blood pressure-friendly diet

Your blood pressure and overall health are directly related to the type of food consumed daily.

Therefore, if you were to keep your dietary habits in a firm check and eat healthy meals, that would significantly contribute to your overall health. It will be good for your body as well as your mind

Following are some of the facts that you should take into account before planning your diet.

  • Regulate the consumption of sodium salts: Sodium is an important nutrient for the human body. And the concentration of this salt has a direct impact on your blood pressure. By regulating its intake, you can maintain your blood pressure.
  • Caffeine: Caffeine-related products contribute to increasing the blood pressure of a person. If the consumption of these products is not kept in check, it may lead to high blood pressure.
  • Drink plenty of water: Keep yourself hydrated all the time. This will help maintain the level of fluids and salt in your body.
  • Alcohol: High consumption of alcohol can lead to low blood pressure. Besides this, the consumption of alcohol in excess can not serve any good purpose as it dehydrates your body rather rapidly.
  • Herbs and spices: Support the intake of herbs and spices that will help maintain your ideal blood pressure. Many natural herbs can serve that purpose.
  • Supplements: Do not hesitate to opt for natural supplements if your body lacks nutrients or minerals of any kind. Besides, these are the first things that physiotherapists advise individuals who suffer from problems in blood pressure because of a lack of minerals.

5. Evaluate the need for additional heart health tests

118/79 mmHg is a perfect value that one might want to see when their blood pressure is being checked. Still, does it mean you are perfectly fine? Should you conduct more studies to get a conclusive stat regarding your heart health?

Technically speaking, a perfect blood pressure reading isn’t the ultimate predictor of heart health. In fact, some people undergoing a heat attack may show no change in blood pressure or even exhibit hypotension.

However, blood pressure reading, in most cases, is a direct estimator of heart health. But the problem is that only a variation in reading would denote a cardiovascular problem.

This is why the physician opts for having an ECG or echocardiography in order to seek better clarity on your cardio health.

The above is often read in reference to your blood test reports and other health assessment parameters to draw a conclusion.

American College of Cardiology recommends in its guidelines to conduct a heart checkup every three years, especially if you are above 45 years of age, even if your blood pressure levels are normal.

6. Support with natural supplements

Sometimes managing blood pressure is all about supplementing your body with the right diet. Food is undoubtedly the best primary source to supplement your body.

However, in the current scenarios, we all know how much adultered our foodstuff is, and most of us are pushed towards processed foods to feed ourselves in this fast-paced world.

All these food are high in sugar and sodium and doesn’t contain any vital nutrients that are important for a healthy heart.

This is where some of the nutraceutical-based blood pressure supplements come in handy. These products combine all critical nutrients your heart craves, thereby assisting the better function of your cardiovascular system.

Generally, these supplements are a concoction of herbs, plant-based products, dairy products, and some animal products. They are 100% organic and natural and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

If you are hearing about these segments of products for the first time, to start with, you may blindly go for Blood Pressure Support from Vita Balance Inc.

The only one thing to keep in mind is that choose the best blood pressure supplement, because when it comes to the heart, there is no taking of risk!

So having an 118/79 mmHg is the ideal blood pressure, and you can keep doing whatever you have been doing so far.

In a review analysis “New Concepts in Nutraceuticals as Alternative for Pharmaceuticals” from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences published in 2014 on International Journal of Preventive Medicine, it was found that nutraceutical compounds could be a safer alternative to pharmaceuticals in managing heart health.

You may now know the thrust areas of health to focus on and some diet plans that you may want to befriend.

What should you do when your blood pressure is 118/79 mmHg during pregnancy?

A blood pressure of 118/79 during pregnancy generally falls within the normal range.

However, blood pressure can fluctuate during pregnancy, and it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for regular check-ups to ensure both maternal and fetal well-being.

A report “Hypertension in pregnancy. Report of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Task Force on Hypertension in Pregnancy” published in 2013 on Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology highlights the significance of monitoring and managing blood pressure for the safety of both the mother and fetus.

While 118/79 is usually not a cause for concern, it’s good to keep track of your readings and report any sudden changes to your doctor.

Is blood pressure 118/79 mmHg normal for a men?

For men, a blood pressure reading of 118/79 is generally considered to be within the normal range.

However, individual health conditions can vary, and it is advisable to get regular check-ups, particularly if you have a history of cardiovascular issues or other health conditions that could impact blood pressure.

Is blood pressure 118/79 mmHg normal for a women?

For women, a blood pressure of 118/79 mmHg is generally considered to be in the normal range.

It’s always good to have regular check-ups, especially if you’re pregnant, menopausal, or have other health conditions that could impact your cardiovascular health.

Regular monitoring and consultations with your healthcare provider are key.

Is blood pressure 118/79 mmHg normal for an elderly?

In elderly individuals, a blood pressure of 118/79 is generally considered to be good.

However, blood pressure can fluctuate due to various factors such as medication, stress, and other health conditions.

Regular check-ups are recommended, especially for elderly individuals who are more prone to cardiovascular and other age-related health issues.

Is blood pressure 118/79 mmHg normal for a children?

For children, the normal range for blood pressure can vary depending on age, height, and gender.

Generally speaking, a blood pressure reading of 118/79 mmHg might be considered normal for older children and adolescents, but not for infants and toddlers.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) have published in 2017 guidelines on blood pressure levels in children.

If a child’s blood pressure is consistently higher than what’s expected for their age, gender, and height on three separate occasions, they are said to have hypertension.

Is blood pressure 118/79 mmHg normal for an adult?

For adults, a blood pressure of 118/79 is generally considered to be within the normal range.

However, “normal” can vary from person to person, and it’s essential to consider other factors like age, lifestyle, and existing medical conditions.

Regular monitoring and consultations with your healthcare provider are advisable for maintaining optimal health.

This post was last modified on November 18, 2024 2:43 am