Currently, your blood pressure is in the normal range, but there is a way to predict if it is likely to progress to hypertension in the future. You can do this by measuring your blood pressure while lying down.

 

Hypertension is a very important disease to know about before it occurs because it can be prevented through lifestyle modifications. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher and diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher; exceeding these levels significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases increases by 2.6 times, and the likelihood of stroke increases by 7 times. Systolic blood pressure of 130-139 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg are considered pre-hypertension, while systolic blood pressure of 120-129 mmHg is classified as elevated blood pressure.

If a person with normal blood pressure has a higher reading than the normal range when lying down, it indicates a greater risk of developing hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases compared to a healthy individual.

 

Usually, when measuring blood pressure while lying down, it tends to be slightly higher than when measured sitting up because gravity lowers the blood pressure.

 

Harvard Medical School's Dr. Steven Jura Sek's research team conducted a study to determine whether an increase in blood pressure while lying down, exceeding the normal range, can be considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The team measured blood pressure in different postures of 11,369 individuals without cardiovascular disease and tracked and analyzed them over 25 to 28 years. The study found that 16% of the participants had normal readings when sitting but were diagnosed with hypertension when lying down. The researchers defined abnormal blood pressure as hypertension. The analysis revealed that participants who were only diagnosed with hypertension while lying down had a 53% higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, a 51% higher risk of heart failure, a 62% higher risk of stroke, and a 34% higher overall mortality rate compared to those who were normal in both positions.

 

If the systolic blood pressure is 120mmHg or higher and the diastolic blood pressure is 80mmHg or higher when lying down, lifestyle habits should be improved. 

 

Engage in aerobic exercise that promotes cardiopulmonary function at a moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes, five times a week, or at a high intensity for at least 20 minutes, three times a week. Additionally, make efforts to reduce stress in daily life. Reducing thoughts and practicing meditation regularly can be helpful. It is also important to frequently monitor blood pressure and receive treatment promptly.

 

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At my parents' house too, with a home blood pressure monitor.

Mom checks it every day.

You do it by leaning on the chair.

 

Lying down might cause blood pressure to increase slightly.