Monitoring your blood pressure is a vital part of maintaining heart health. When you understand what your blood pressure readings mean, you can make informed decisions about your lifestyle choices and healthcare needs.
This chart provides a breakdown of the five main blood pressure categories to help you interpret your readings and understand what action may be necessary.
Normalblood pressure is in a healthy range.
Elevatedblood pressure indicates a risk of developing hypertension.
Stage 1 hypertension may require lifestyle changes and possibly medication.
Stage 2 hypertension indicates the likely need for medical treatment and management.
A hypertensive crisis needs immediate medical attention.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It’s measured using two numbers:
Systolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. It’s represented by the top number in a blood pressure reading.
Diastolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats. It’s represented by the bottom number in a blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure is typically measured using a cuff and monitor, either manually with a stethoscope or digitally with an automatic monitor.
Healthy blood pressure is critical because both high and low readings can lead to serious complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and fainting episodes. High blood pressure (hypertension) can also damage your arteries over time, making it harder for your heart to work efficiently.
A home blood pressure monitor can help you track trends in your readings and share reliable data with your healthcare provider. To get an accurate reading:
Sit upright with both feet flat on the floor.
Rest your arm on a table at heart level.
Relax for at least five minutes before taking your measurement.
Avoid caffeine, exercise, or smoking for 30 minutes prior to measuring.
Take two to three readings one minute apart and average them.
Measure at the same time daily for consistency.
Measure on bare skin, and make sure the cuff fits properly on your upper arm. Avoid talking or moving during measurements as well. To ensure accurate readings, use a clinically validated blood pressure monitor device on the U.S. Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing (VDL).
Consult your healthcare provider if your blood pressure readings consistently fall in the elevated or hypertension stage 1 or 2 categories. High blood pressure often presents without any noticeable symptoms, so regular monitoring is essential even if you feel fine.
Seek immediate care if you experience:
Severe headache
Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Vision problems
Blood pressure readings in the hypertensive crisis range: systolic readings over 180 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic readings over 120 mmHg
If you’re experiencing a hypertensive emergency, call 911 immediately. If left untreated, prolonged high blood pressure can cause irreversible organ damage.
Blood pressure readings provide essential information about your heart health.
Use a blood pressure chart to interpret your blood pressure readings.
At-home blood pressure monitoring and lifestyle changes can help improve and maintain healthy blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor if your readings are consistently elevated or if you experience concerning symptoms.
