A patient is diagnosed with hypertension.
What is the initial recommendation for this patient likely to be?

This range of systolic blood pressure is classified as stage 1 hypertension according to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Stage 1 hypertension is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic.At this stage of high blood pressure, health care professionals are likely to prescribe lifestyle changes and may consider adding blood pressure medication based on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, such as heart attack or stroke.

Choice A is wrong because 140 to 159 is the range for stage 2 hypertension, which is more severe than stage 1.

Stage 2 hypertension is when blood pressure consistently is 140/90 mm Hg or higher.At this stage of high blood pressure, health care professionals are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.

Choice C is wrong because 110 to 119 is the range for normal blood pressure.

Normal blood pressure is when systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg.If your results fall into this category, stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

Choice D is wrong because 120 to 139 is not a valid range for systolic blood pressure.

It includes two different categories: elevated and stage 1 hypertension.

Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.Stage 1 hypertension, as explained above, is when systolic blood pressure ranges from 130 to 139 or diastolic blood pressure ranges from 80 to 89.

The normal range for systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg.The normal range for diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg.

LDL cholesterol is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up on the walls of the blood vessels and cause health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, decreasing LDL cholesterol levels can lower your risk and improve your health.

Choice A is wrong because increasing LDL cholesterol levels would have the opposite effect of decreasing them.It would increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and plaque buildup in your arteries.

Choice B is wrong because increasing HDL cholesterol levels is not enough to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it can move LDL cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from the body.

However, HDL cholesterol levels alone are not a good indicator of your cardiovascular health.You also need to consider your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Choice D is wrong because decreasing HDL cholesterol levels would also increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.HDL cholesterol helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels and protect your blood vessels from plaque buildup.

Therefore, decreasing HDL cholesterol levels would reduce this protective effect and make you more vulnerable to heart disease and stroke.

The ideal ranges for cholesterol levels are as follows:

• Total cholesterol: below 200 mg/dL

• LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL

• HDL cholesterol: above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women

You can lower your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your HDL cholesterol levels by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress and taking medication if prescribed by your doctor.