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Use the blood pressure chart below to see what your blood pressure means. The blood pressure
chart is suitable for adults of any age. (The level for high blood pressure does not change with age.)
Blood pressure readings have two numbers, for example 140/90mmHg.
The top number is your systolic blood pressure. (The highest pressure when your heart beats and
pushes the blood round your body.) The bottom one is your diastolic blood pressure. (The lowest
pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.)
The blood pressure chart below shows ranges of high, low and healthy blood pressure readings.
Using this blood pressure chart: To work out what your blood pressure readings mean, just find
your top number (systolic) on the left side of the blood pressure chart and read across, and your
bottom number (diastolic) on the bottom of the blood pressure chart. Where the two meet is your
blood pressure.
90 over 60 (90/60) or less: You may have low blood pressure. More on low blood
pressure.
More than 90 over 60 (90/60) and less than 120 over 80 (120/80): Your blood
pressure reading is ideal and healthy. Follow a healthy lifestyle to keep it at this level.
More than 120 over 80 and less than 140 over 90 (120/80-140/90): You have a
normal blood pressure reading but it is a little higher than it should be, and you should try to lower
it. Make healthy changes to your lifestyle.
140 over 90 (140/90) or higher (over a number of weeks): You may have high blood
pressure (hypertension).Change your lifestyle - see your doctor or nurse and take any
medicines they may give you. More on high blood pressure
So:
if your top number is 140 or more - then you may havehigh blood pressure, regardless of
your bottom number.
if your bottom number is 90 or more - then you may havehigh blood pressure,
regardless your top number.
if your top number is 90 or less - then you may have low blood pressure, regardless of
your bottom number.
if your bottom number is 60 or less - then you may havelow blood pressure, regardless
of your top number.
Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers, written as a ratio like this:
Systolic
The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure
in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).
Diastolic
The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the
pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between
beats and refilling with blood).
Systolic
mm Hg (upper #)
Diastolic
mm Hg (lower #)
Normal
and
less than 80
Prehypertension
120 139
or
80 89
140 159
or
90 99
160 or higher
or
100 or higher
Blood Pressure
Category
Systolic
mm Hg (upper #)
Hypertensive Crisis
(Emergency care needed)
Diastolic
mm Hg (lower #)
or
Find videos, trackers and more with our interactive HBP guide. The guide has tips to empower you to manage your
blood pressure. Get started!
Also available as a downloadable PDF.
140 can be many things, but its too high for blood pressure
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.
Blood pressure readings fall into four general categories, ranging from normal to stage 2
high blood pressure (hypertension). The level of your blood pressure determines what
kind of treatment you may need. To get an accurate blood pressure measurement, your
doctor should evaluate your readings based on the average of two or more blood
pressure readings at three or more office visits.
Here's a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean for you. If your
readings fall into two diferent categories, your correct blood pressure category is the
higher category. For example, if your blood pressure reading is 125/95 millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg), you have stage 1 hypertension.
Top
number
(systolic)
in mm
Hg
Bottom
number
Your category*
(diastolic) in
mm Hg
What to do
Maintain or adopt
a healthy
Top
number
(systolic)
in mm
Hg
Bottom
number
Your category*
(diastolic) in
mm Hg
What to do
lifestyle.
Between
120-139
or Between
80-89
Prehypertension
Maintain or adopt
a healthy
lifestyle.
Between
140-159
or Between
90-99
Stage 1
hypertension
Maintain or adopt
a healthy
lifestyle. If your
blood pressure
goal isn't reached
in about a month,
talk to your
doctor about
taking one or
more
medications.
160 or
higher
or 100 or
higher
Stage 2
hypertension
Maintain or adopt
a healthy
lifestyle. Talk to
your doctor about
taking more than
one medication.
If you're a healthy adult younger than age 60, or if you have chronic kidney disease,
diabetes or coronary artery disease, your treatment goal is less than 140/90 mm Hg. If
you're a healthy adult age 60 or older, your treatment goal is less than 150/90 mm Hg.
If your blood pressure is normal, maintaining or adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent
or delay the onset of high blood pressure or other health problems. If your blood
pressure isn't normal, a healthy lifestyle oftentimes along with medication can help
bring it under control and reduce your risk of life-threatening complications.
www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressurechart
https://www.caring.com/charts/blood-pressure
www.mayoclinic.org/
www.heart.org/