What blood pressure reading is generally considered too high for safe exercise?

A blood pressure reading of 250/115 is considered too high for safe exercise due to its severity. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as two numbers: systolic over diastolic. In this case, the systolic pressure is extremely elevated at 250 mmHg, which indicates that during heart contractions, the pressure in the arteries is dangerously high. The diastolic pressure of 115 mmHg also exceeds the typical safe levels, where the heart is in a state of relaxation.

Elevated blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular events during exercise, such as stroke, heart attack, or arrhythmias. Guidelines from major health organizations suggest that exercise is typically contraindicated when systolic blood pressure exceeds 180 mmHg or diastolic pressure exceeds 110 mmHg. The reading of 250/115 far surpasses these thresholds and would warrant immediate attention and cessation of physical activity to prevent potential health risks.

This emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood pressure prior to engaging in exercise, especially for individuals with known hypertension or those who have not been recently evaluated by a healthcare professional.