Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems including heart attack or stroke. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have it. Controlling high blood pressure can help prevent major health problems.

Healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges

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
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (consult your doctor immediately) HIGHER THAN 180 and/or HIGHER THAN 120

Note: Only a doctor or other medical professional can confirm a high blood pressure diagnosis. They also can check if your blood pressure is too low.

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Know Your Numbers

Is your blood pressure in a healthy range? The best way to know is to get it checked.

Then, enter your numbers into this calculator to see which blood pressure category you are in.

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Systolic Pressure

Using your most recent blood pressure measurement, what is your systolic (upper) number? 119 or lower 180 or higher

Diastolic Pressure

Using your most recent blood pressure measurement, what is your diastolic (lower) number? Less than 80 120 or higher

Blood Pressure Calculator

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Normal Blood Pressure

Congratulations! Your blood pressure is normal. Keep up the good work. Stick with these heart-healthy habits.

Elevated Blood Pressure

You have elevated blood pressure. Unless steps are taken to control it, elevated blood pressure can turn into high blood pressure.

Work with your health care team to get your blood pressure in the normal range. Lifestyle changes can help.

High Blood Pressure Stage 1

You have high blood pressure Stage 1. Your health care professional should prescribe lifestyle changes. They may add medication based on your risk of heart disease or stroke. Medication should also be added if you have conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and kidney disease.

High Blood Pressure Stage 2

You have high blood pressure Stage 2. Your health care professional should prescribe lifestyle changes and medication to lower your blood pressure. You may need one or more medications to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

Hypertensive Crisis

You may be in hypertensive crisis.

If your readings are still high, call your health care professional right away.

Call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 and you are having chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.

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Blood Pressure Calculator

Controlling blood pressure

If your blood pressure is in the normal range, stick with heart-healthy habits such as following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

If your blood pressure is elevated, work with your health care professional to control the condition.

In hypertension Stage 1, your health care professional should prescribe lifestyle changes. They may consider adding medication based on your risk of heart disease or stroke and should add medication if you have other conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and kidney disease.

In hypertension Stage 2, your health care professional should prescribe blood pressure medication and lifestyle changes.

In hypertensive crisis, you need medical attention.

If your readings are still unusually high, contact your health care professional immediately.

Call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 and you are having:

Your blood pressure numbers and what they mean

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:

Which number is more important?

A higher systolic or diastolic reading may be used to diagnose high blood pressure. But the systolic blood pressure tells more about risk factors for heart disease for people over 50. As people get older, their systolic blood pressure usually goes up because:

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors.

Last Reviewed: May 17, 2024