Hi Tony,
Your blood pressure is fine. The optimum #s docs like to usually see are 120/80 or below. The elevations you are seeing are pretty minor.
Blood pressure is
supposed to fluctuate, just not off the charts. The only kind of person whose BP remains stationary at all times is a cadaver!
Are you monitoring your BP with your own a home monitor or in drug stores?
Good for you to stop smoking- that goes a long way to good cardio health.
Your running is also the way to a healthy heart and BP.
As for diet, STAY AWAY FROM SALT as much as you can. Sodium is hidden everywhere, so read labels (your total daily intake of sodium should not be more than 2400 mgs). Throw away the salt shaker too if you can. 2400 mgs of salt is only ONE TEASPOON of table salt. Some people are salt-sensitive when it comes to blood pressure, so it's something to be aware of.
Until pretty recently BP in your range was considered OPTIMAL. Then new guidelines were issued by the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. As you can see you would still be considered OK (normal).
The guidelines are:
Optimal -
Below 120/80
Normal - 120-129/80-84
Borderline- 130–139/85–89
Hypertension - Basically anything over 140/90
STAGE1 - 140–159/90–99
STAGE2 - 160–179/100–109
STAGE3 - At or over 180/110
I wouldn't be worried at this point but as we get older and our arteries stiffen, hypertension often rears it's ugly head.
Sounds like you are being vigilant and care about your health so you'll probably outlive us all!
If you have any more questions there's a High and Low Blood Pressure Board with LOTS of savvy folks on there, including me!
:wave:
Good luck!
zuzu
