What's more important the upper or lower number for blood pressure ?

Question

Rightt now at 2:45 est it's 168/103 this morning it was 178/103.
A am taking beta-blockers, water pills, blood thinners and many other pills

Answer 1

The bottom number is considered more important because that is when your heart is in between beats, or resting. It especially shouldn't be high then.

Answer 2

Really, its not so important deciding which number is worse, if either is high its not necessarily good. But obviously your BP is not being controlled very well by your current medication regime. You say you are already taking beta blockers and a diuretic or water pill, that is the usual starting point for blood pressure control. Depending on your resting heart rate you may need to increase the beta-blocker dosage, but only on the advice of your physician. The only other type of med on the market is called an ACE inhibitor. This type of med relaxes your blood vessels and could be added to your meds or substituted for your beta-blocker or diuretic.
For sure, BP's like that are way too high, especially the 103, that can be quite dangerous, leads to weakening of blood vessels, especially in the brain, which can lead to stroke and yes, even death. If part of your problem is stress and or anxiety you should also consider medication along those lines, something like ativan. In any case you need to see your md asap and get another plan together and get the bp lower.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

The diastolic is considered most important, but your BP is not under control. Beta blockers and diuretics are old fashioned and cause side effects such as hypokalemia and asthma. Unless there is a reason other than high BP>

Answer 4

They are both way too high, but if I remember correctly from my health aide training, the lower one being to high is more serious.
It has been said, and is taught, that when the two numbers meet, the person is the closest to death they will ever be. Try doing more through diet and nutritional supplements to lower your blood pressure, or you are seriously looking for a stroke or heart attack real soon.

Answer 5

Lower number