If your blood pressure is 160/100, what you should do depends on a few factors. 160/100 is high and can be dangerous, especially if it happens often. A reading of 160/100 may be a sign that your blood pressure is not well controlled and you need to contact your primary care provider.
If you get a single reading of 160/100 and feel well, sit quietly for 5 minutes, check it again, and monitor your readings. If your blood pressure stays high, continue checking it every few hours and arrange to see a healthcare provider within 1-2 days. Leaving consistently high blood pressure untreated can lead to serious circulation problems.
Seek urgent care right away if your blood pressure is severely elevated, especially 180/120 or higher, or if you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, vision changes, weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking.
Blood pressure can rise temporarily in situations such as pain, stress, or physical exertion, without necessarily meaning there is a health problem. In these cases, it usually returns to normal after the situation passes.
When high blood pressure is caused by hypertension, keeping it under control is important to help prevent complications like heart failure, chronic kidney disease, heart attack, and stroke. That’s why treatment for high blood pressure should always follow your doctor’s guidance.