Normal blood pressure

What do your blood pressure numbers mean? The only way to know if you have Healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges Learn what is considered normal, as recommended by the American Heart Association. Blood Pressure Chart BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY SYSTOLIC mm Hg (upper number) and/or DIASTOLIC mm Hg (lower number) NORMAL LESS THAN 120 and LESS THAN 80 ELEVATED 120 – 129 and LESS THAN 80 HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1 130 – 139 or 80 – 89 HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2 140 OR HIGHER or 90 OR HIGHER HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120 Note: A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional. A health care professional should also evaluate any unusually low blood pressure readings. Download this chart: Blood pressure categories The five blood pressure ranges as recognized by the American Heart Association are: Normal Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) are considered within the normal range. If your results fall into this category, stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. Elevated Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition. Hypertension Stage 1 Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130 to 139 systolic or 80...

Blood pressure measures the pressure of the blood in your arteries when your heart beats and when it relaxes. Numbers outside of the typical range can mean your heart is working too hard to pump blood to your body. You likely already know that your blood pressure is important, and that it can affect your health in many ways. But what exactly is a healthy blood pressure reading, and what do your blood pressure numbers mean? In this article, we’ll explain what’s considered normal, elevated, and high blood pressure, and what that means for you and your health. When a healthcare professional takes your blood pressure, it’s expressed as a measurement with two numbers, one number on top (systolic) and one on the bottom (diastolic), like a fraction. For example, 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. That’s what the mm/Hg stands for. Here’s what the numbers mean: • Your systolic pressure (the top number) is the pressure of the blood in your arteries when your heart contracts or beats. • Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure of the blood in your arteries between beats, when your heart relaxes. Both numbers are important in determining the state of your heart health. Numbers For a normal reading, your blood pressure needs to show: • a systolic pressure that’s above 90 mm Hg and less than 120 mm Hg, and • a diastolic pressure that’s between 60 mm Hg and less than 80 mm Hg The If you’re in the normal range, no medical intervention is...

If your blood pressure is above 180/120 mmHg, it's considered a hypertensive crisis and you should seek medical help immediately. Call 911 if you also experience chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. Understanding the ACC/AHA Definition It's important to mention that the definition of high blood pressure according to the ACC/AHA differs slightly from other professional societies, such as the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH). • Heart attack, which may cause chest pain or shortness of breath • Heart failure, which may cause swelling, fatigue, and trouble breathing • Stroke, which may cause headache, weakness, paralysis, or • Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, which may cause elevated levels of creatinine in the blood, higher levels of white and red blood cells, and protein in the urine

When researchers for the National Center for Health Statistics looked at average blood pressure in U.S. adults between 2001 and 2008, the average reading was 122/71 mm Hg. The breakout was 124/72 mm Hg for men, and 121/70 mm Hg for women. It rose with age and was significantly higher in Black people. • Elevated: You are likely to develop hypertension unless you take steps to control it. These may include lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, getting more exercise, and quitting smoking. • Stage 1 hypertension: Your healthcare provider will probably recommend lifestyle changes. They may also prescribe medication, depending on your risk for cardiovascular disease, • Stage 2 hypertension: Your healthcare provider will likely • Hypertensive crisis: Seek medical attention right away if your blood pressure is this high. You could experience a heart attack, stroke, or something else that can damage your organs or threaten your life. Getting Started The goal is to measure your blood pressure at its most stable. Hence, it's good practice to rest for five minutes in a calm environment before getting started. The AHA also advises against smoking, exercising, or drinking caffeinated beverages within 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Proper Cuff Size Healthcare providers often keep one default cuff in the examining room, which is generally meant to be used for people of "average" height and weight. If you are larger or smaller than average, the default cuff...

Here’s how to understand your systolic blood pressure number: • Normal: Below 120 • Elevated: 120-129 • Stage I: • Stage II: hypertension: 140 or more • Hypertensive crisis: 180 or more. Call 911. What Does the Diastolic Blood Pressure Number Mean? The diastolic reading, or the bottom number, is the pressure in the arteries when the This is what your diastolic blood pressure number means: • Normal: Lower than 80 • Stage I: hypertension: 80-89 • Stage II: hypertension: 90 or more • Hypertensive crisis: 120 or more. Call 911. Our chart below has more details. Even if your diastolic number is normal (lower than 80), you can have elevated blood pressure if the systolic reading is 120-129. Blood Pressure Ranges If you have normal blood pressure, your blood pressure is less than 120/80. Stick with an active lifestyle and healthy diet to keep that going. Is your blood pressure above the normal range, in either or both systolic and diastolic levels? Your doctor will want to have more than one blood pressure reading before diagnosing hypertension. Treatments include lifestyle changes, and if that’s not enough, they may also include Lifestyle changes include: • Cutting back on sodium. Ask your doctor what your daily sodium limit should be. Read the Nutrition Facts label on food products. • Getting more • • Eating a healthy diet. • Limiting If you also need medication to lower your blood pressure, there are several types: • Diuretics • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors • Alpha...

This blood pressure chart can help you figure out if your blood pressure is at a healthy level or if you'll need to take some steps to improve your numbers. A total blood pressure reading is determined by measuring the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. • Systolic blood pressure, the top number, measures the force the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries each time it beats. • Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number, measures the force the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries in between beats. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal. Increased blood pressure may be categorized as elevated, stage 1 or stage 2 depending on the specific numbers. To get an accurate blood pressure measurement, your health care provider typically considers the average of two or more blood pressure readings from three or more office visits. An accurate measurement determines what kind of treatment you may need. Here's a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean for you. If your systolic and diastolic readings fall into two different categories, your correct blood pressure category is the higher category. For example, if your blood pressure reading is 125/85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), you may have stage 1 hypertension. Top number (systolic) in mm Hg And/or Bottom number (diastolic) in mm Hg Blood pressure category* What to do† So...

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