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Blood Pressure Chart- Find Out What Your Readings Mean
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Understanding blood pressure readings is critical for overall health and well-being. Use the blood pressure chart below to determine whether you have normal, low, or high blood pressure.
Do you know what the numbers mean when your doctor tells you your blood pressure (BP) is 120 over 80? Does it mean it is normal, or is it too high or too low?
Understanding your blood pressure readings is vital for maintaining good health, which is why your healthcare practitioner checks it every time you visit.
This article will help you make sense of your blood pressure numbers by explaining the blood pressure chart.
What Do the Blood Pressure Numbers Mean?
Blood is forced through your arteries when your heart contracts, thus placing pressure on the walls of the blood vessels. This is what we refer to as blood pressure.
The pressure is necessary to keep your blood flowing so that oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the cells throughout the body and waste products are removed.
Your BP readings are made up of 2 numbers: a higher number and a lower number. The higher number is called systolic blood pressure and represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts.
The lower number is your diastolic blood pressure. It’s the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats when your heart is at rest.
Your systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) using a mercury, aneroid, or digital sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor. An inflatable cuff is placed around your upper arm and inflated to squeeze the artery in your arm shut. The pressure is then slowly released.
The moment blood starts flowing through the artery again is your diastolic pressure, and when the flow can no longer be detected is your systolic pressure, giving you a blood pressure reading of 120 over 80, for example.
Your blood pressure reading varies according to the time of day and what you are doing. For example, it may spike when you’re stressed, but it doesn’t mean you have high blood pressure.
Therefore, to determine whether you have normal, high, or low BP, you should measure it at the same time of day, preferably first thing in the morning and again in the evening for a few consecutive days.
The Blood Pressure Chart
The American Heart Association developed the blood pressure chart below to categorize blood pressure readings. It lists the blood pressure ranges for each of the blood pressure categories, helping you and your doctor determine whether your BP levels are normal.
Normal blood pressure
A blood pressure reading of less than 120 over 80mmHg is considered normal.
Elevated blood pressure
When you have elevated blood pressure, your diastolic blood pressure is higher than 120mmHg but lower than 130mmHg, and your systolic blood pressure is less than 80mmHg.
Hypertension: Stage 1
If your systolic blood pressure is consistently between 130 and 139mmHg or your diastolic blood pressure measures between 80 and 89mmHg, you will be diagnosed with stage 1 high blood pressure.
Hypertension: Stage 2
Systolic blood pressure that is consistently higher than 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure that is consistently higher than 90mmHg indicates stage 2 high blood pressure.
Hypertensive crisis
A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. If several consecutive BP readings show systolic pressure and diastolic pressure over 180mmHg and 120mmHg, respectively, you should contact your doctor immediately. Call an ambulance if you experience other symptoms, such as chest or back pain, shortness of breath, or weakness.
What Is Normal Blood Pressure by Age?
Research shows that BP increases as we age, and normal and high blood pressure levels differ between men and women. The chart below shows healthy BP ranges by age.
What Blood Pressure Is Too Low?
People with low blood pressure have a systolic blood pressure of less than 90mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of less than 60mmHg. Although low blood pressure may be asymptomatic, it can cause dizziness and fainting.
In extreme cases, low blood pressure may cause loss of consciousness, a weak pulse, shallow, rapid breathing, blurred vision, and clammy skin. These are signs that your low BP is a medical emergency, and you should seek help immediately.
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure?
Many of the risk factors associated with high BP and cardiovascular disease are lifestyle habits. Therefore some simple lifestyle changes, such as those listed below, can help prevent and manage high blood pressure.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet such as the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
- Maintain a healthy weight. Losing weight if you are overweight can help lower blood pressure.
- Regular exercise helps to reduce stress and strengthens your cardiovascular system.
- Ensure that you get enough good quality sleep. Research shows that people who sleep for less than 6 hours per night have an increased risk of high blood pressure.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking cigarettes causes a spike in BP.
- Limit your intake of alcohol.
- Manage stress and anxiety.
There are also several blood pressure and cardiovascular health apps that can help you keep track of your health and lifestyle choices and improve your BP readings.
A Word From an MD
Untreated high blood pressure affects all parts of your body. It is a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack, stroke, hypertensive crisis, sexual dysfunction, kidney failure, and vision problems.
Therefore, the American Heart Association recommends that everyone should be familiar with their blood pressure numbers and regularly have their BP checked.
The blood pressure chart makes it easy for healthcare providers and patients alike to understand the meaning of a BP reading so that the appropriate lifestyle changes and blood pressure medications can be prescribed should you have raised BP.
FAQs
According to the most recent guidelines, ideal blood pressure is less than 120mmHg or 80mmHg.
Adults aged 18 and older should check their blood pressure at least once every two years. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may advise more frequent readings.
Then, you should measure your blood pressure at the same time every day, usually first thing in the morning before eating and again at night, until your BP is controlled.
People with elevated blood pressure, a family history of hypertension, and health conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes may develop high blood pressure. Age, gender, and ethnicity may also predispose you to hypertension.
The Bottom Line
Preventing and managing high blood pressure is critical for health and longevity. Therefore, you must understand the meaning of your blood pressure numbers.
The blood pressure chart clearly defines 5 blood pressure categories, including normal, elevated blood pressure, 2 stages of hypertension, and hypertensive crisis.
When you know the meaning of your blood pressure readings, you can take steps towards making better lifestyle choices and getting the best treatment from your doctor to help you manage your blood pressure.
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