Blood Pressure 180/110 mmHg – What It Means and Why It’s Dangerous

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD | Medically reviewed by Robin Backlund, BHSc
Last update: March 5, 2025

What does a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg mean?

A blood pressure reading of 180/110 mmHg signifies an advanced stage of hypertension, where excessive pressure on the arteries forces the heart to work harder than normal.

At this level, the cardiovascular system is under significant strain, increasing the risk of life-threatening complications if left unmanaged.

Why is 180/110 blood pressure dangerous?

Blood pressure at 180/110 mmHg puts an individual at immediate risk for serious health consequences.

• Heart attack and stroke due to extreme stress on the blood vessels.
• Organ damage, particularly affecting the kidneys, brain, and heart.
• Aneurysm or artery rupture, which can result in internal bleeding.
• Hypertensive crisis, which occurs when blood pressure reaches 180/120 mmHg or higher and requires emergency medical intervention.

Blood pressure chart: understanding the stages

According to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, blood pressure is categorized into different stages.

A reading of 180/110 mmHg exceeds the Stage 1 hypertension threshold and falls within the upper range of Stage 2 hypertension, indicating a critical need for medical supervision and treatment.

Medical research on Stage 2 Hypertension

A study “Double the Prevalence of Stage 2 Hypertension Readings in a Small Group of American Pre-clinical Medical Students Compared to Young Adults Diagnosed with Stage 2 Hypertension in the United States” from Lincoln Memorial University, published in 2020 in Cureus, found that 17% of pre-clinical medical students exhibited blood pressure readings classified as Stage 2 Hypertension.

These findings align with broader hospital statistics in the United States, highlighting that high blood pressure is a widespread issue, affecting not only older adults but also younger individuals.

Symptoms of blood pressure 180/110 mmHg

In many cases, hypertension develops silently, but when blood pressure reaches 180/110 mmHg, symptoms may appear.

• Severe dizziness and nausea
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Blurred vision and excessive sweating
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Blood spots in the eyes
• Unexplained weight gain

What should you do if you have 180/110 blood pressure?

Here is a set-by-step procedure to follow when you figure out you have a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg.

1. Verify blood pressure with a doctor
2. Adopt these lifestyle changes immediately
3. Consider using blood pressure medications
4. Craft a balanced blood pressure-friendly diet
5. Monitor for additional health conditions associated with stage 2 hypertension
6. Support with natural supplements

1. Verify blood pressure with a doctor

Before taking any action, it is crucial to confirm the accuracy of your blood pressure reading with a trained healthcare professional.

There are instances where home blood pressure monitors may provide inaccurate readings due to:

• Improper usage (wrong cuff size, incorrect positioning).
• Device calibration issues or malfunction.
• Temporary fluctuations caused by stress, physical exertion, or anxiety.

A doctor will assess your blood pressure over 7 to 30 days to confirm whether your hypertension is persistent or situational.

White Coat and Masked Hypertension

A 2020 study published in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension by Christina Antza and her team from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki revealed key findings about blood pressure fluctuations:

Others may have normal readings at the clinic but high readings at home, a condition called masked hypertension.

Some individuals experience higher readings at the doctor’s office but normal readings at home, known as white coat hypertension.

2. Adopt these lifestyle changes immediately

A blood pressure level of 180/110 mmHg indicates an impending dangerous condition that might be affecting your heart, brain, or kidneys.

Although immediate medical attention is necessary to treat this condition, there are some steps you can take on your own to help normalize your blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes, tailored to your health, can be highly beneficial for your overall well-being and can significantly aid your body in managing blood pressure issues.

According to the American Heart Association guidelines published in the article “Understand Your Risks to Prevent a Heart Attack”, the activities listed below can help control stage 2 hypertension and bring the levels back to normal.

• Rest and avoid engaging in strenuous physical activities.
• Consult your doctor immediately.
• Ensure you get adequate rest and sleep daily.
• Monitor your body weight and consider weight management if necessary.
• Closely restrict the intake of sodium and other minerals that contribute to elevated blood pressure.
• Cease smoking and drinking immediately.
• Avoid situations that induce high levels of stress and anxiety.

3. Consider using blood pressure medications

For a person suffering from stage 2 hypertension, medication is the most effective way to cure it. With a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg, major health risks are associated with the health of the individual.

Using chemical drugs intended for reducing blood pressure under a doctor’s supervision is the best way to manage stage 2 hypertension.

According to NHS guidelines published in the article “High blood pressure (hypertension) – Treatment”, the following medications can be used when your blood pressure is 180/110. However, make sure to consult your doctor before trying any of these.

• Water Pills: these are the medicines that regulate the retention of sodium ions in the bloodstream. By supporting the expulsion of sodium ions from the body and lowering their concentration, this help reduces blood pressure in people.
• Alpha Blockers: these are the medicines formed of drugs that restrict the formation of compounds in the body that lead to the contraction of blood vessels.
• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers: these are the support medicines that stop the narrowing of the blood vessels and help in their relaxation. Therefore, moderate blood pressure is ensured in the blood vessels.
• Vasodilators: These are medicines that contain drugs that help in the relaxation of the vessels, therefore, widening those. These medicines oppose the narrowing of the blood vessels and help keep high blood pressure in check.
• Calcium Channel Blockers: These are the medicines that help stop the intermixing of calcium ions in the bloodstream. Calcium is an active ion that leads to the narrowing of blood vessels. By restricting it, moderate blood pressure is ensured.

4. Craft a balanced blood pressure-friendly diet

Your diet plan can majorly increase the possibility of you recovering from the problem of high blood pressure.

If you eat what is healthy and helpful for you and diverge from the usage of products that increase blood pressure, this will serve to be extremely beneficial for your overall health.

Harvard School of Medicine on the article “Beating High Blood Pressure with Food” provides a list of recommended foods aimed at helping you control your hypertension with minimal reliance on medications.

• Cut your sodium intake: Excess sodium in the body leads to water or fluid retention within the body. This, in turn, leads to the possible risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, immediately cut your salt intake.
• No caffeine: Caffeine products are known to increase blood pressure in individuals. This can be harmful to the health of the said individual, especially when you have 180/110 blood pressure.
• No sweeteners: A large sugar intake can lead to diabetes and high blood pressure. When both problems are aligned together, these serve to be a dangerous outcome for the individual.
• Hydrating fluids: Support the intake of fluids in large quantities. This will help in the retention of sodium, as well as help regulate the increased blood pressure.
• Herbs and spices: Some natural herbs and spices are known to help in the regulation of blood pressure in individuals. If you were to introduce the usage of these in your diet, these would benefit your greatly.

5. Monitor for additional health conditions associated with stage 2 hypertension

With a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg, you are at risk of several other diseases, which can be harmful, while high blood pressure won’t alone be a risk.

A research “Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Disease: Clinical Insights and Vascular Mechanisms” conducted at the University of Glasgow, and published in 2018 on The Canadian Journal of Cardiology, has pinpointed diabetes as the primary factor exacerbating stage 1 hypertension, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of alternative treatments.

Various conditions such as obesity, sleep apnea, stress, or depression, among others, can contribute to an elevation in your blood pressure.

You need to be extra careful, especially if you check any of the below conditions listed.

• Medical history of heart diseases.
• Diabetes.
• Massive weight gain.
• High intake of sodium salts.
• Old age.
• Indulging in situations full of stress and anxiety.
• Not supporting a proper diet and exercise routine.

6. Support with natural supplements

Sometimes managing blood pressure is all about supplementing your body with the right diet. Food is undoubtedly the best primary source to supplement your body.

However, in the current scenarios, we all know how much adultered our foodstuff is, and most of us are pushed towards processed foods to feed ourselves in this fast-paced world.

All these food are high in sugar and sodium and doesn’t contain any vital nutrients that are important for a healthy heart.

This is where some of the nutraceutical-based blood pressure supplements come in handy.

These products combine all critical nutrients your heart craves, thereby assisting the better function of your cardiovascular system.

Generally, these supplements are a concoction of herbs, plant-based products, dairy products, and some animal products.

They are 100% organic and natural and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

Research study “Vitamins C and E: Beneficial effects from a mechanistic perspective” from 2011, published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine, indicates that vitamins C, E, and D sourced from herbs are inclined to have a greater potential for lowering blood pressure in individuals with stage 1 hypertension.

If you are hearing about these segments of products for the first time,  to start with, you may blindly go for Blood Pressure Support from Vita Balance Inc.

The only one thing to keep in mind is that choose the best supplement supporting healthy blood pressure, because when it comes to the heart, there is no taking of risk.

Stage 2 hypertension in itself is a serious enough blood pressure problem.

Proper medication happens to be the only way to bring this problem within the check in a short period.

Therefore, if you support the likelihood of having high blood pressure, it is recommended that you consult a physiotherapist.

What should you do when your blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg during pregnancy?

If your blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg during pregnancy, it’s an emergency situation requiring immediate medical attention.

This is considered a hypertensive crisis and places both the mother and the baby at serious risk.

According to the NIH article “High Blood Pressure – Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure”, the mother might experience a sudden spike in blood pressure, which might look similar to stage 2 hypertension, and this condition, especially during the gestational period, requires medical attention.

Prompt evaluation and treatment are essential to prevent complications such as preeclampsia, premature delivery, or even stroke.

Head directly to the nearest emergency room or call an ambulance.

Is blood pressure 180/110 mmHg too high for a male?

Yes, a blood pressure of 180/110 is exceptionally high for men and falls under the category of hypertensive crisis.

Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications such as stroke, heart attack, or organ failure.

If you find yourself with this reading, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Is blood pressure 180/110 mmHg too high for a female?

Absolutely, a blood pressure reading of 180/110 mmHg is exceedingly high for women and represents a hypertensive crisis. Immediate medical intervention is vital to avert serious risks such as stroke or heart failure.

If this is your reading, go to the nearest emergency room or call an ambulance without delay.

Is blood pressure 180/110 mmHg too high for an elderly?

Yes, for an elderly individual, a blood pressure reading of 180/110 mmHg is dangerously high and a medical emergency.

The risk of severe complications, including heart failure and stroke, increases substantially.

Immediate medical evaluation and treatment are necessary, so call for emergency assistance right away.

Is blood pressure 180/110 mmHg too high for children?

For children, a blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg is alarmingly high and is a medical emergency.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines “Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents” to determine if a child’s blood pressure is too high.

A reading of 180/110 is considered very high, despite the child’s age, sex, and height percentile.

High blood pressure in children can be a precursor to hypertension and cardiovascular issues in adulthood, necessitating early intervention and lifestyle modifications.

Is blood pressure 180/110 mmHg too high for an adult?

A blood pressure reading of 180/110 is extremely high for an adult and signifies a hypertensive crisis.

This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent critical complications like stroke, heart attack, or organ failure.

Emergency medical treatment is crucial; do not wait.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is 180/110 blood pressure a medical emergency?

Yes, a blood pressure reading of 180/110 mmHg requires immediate medical attention.

If symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath occur, seek emergency care immediately.

What foods lower high blood pressure fast?

Foods that help reduce blood pressure naturally include:

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries)
• Oats and whole grains
• Bananas (rich in potassium)
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel)

How can I lower my blood pressure immediately?

• Sit and breathe deeply for 5 minutes.
• Drink water to flush excess sodium.
• Avoid caffeine or high-sodium foods.
• Take prescribed medication if recommended by your doctor.