Do you know your blood pressure?
This blood pressure chart from the Mayo Clinic 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.
| Below 120 | and | Below 80 | Normal blood pressure | Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. |
| 120-129 | and | Below 80 | Elevated blood pressure | Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. |
| 130-139 | or | 80-89 | Stage 1 high blood pressure (hypertension) | Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your provider about taking one or more medications. |
| 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher | Stage 2 high blood pressure (hypertension) | Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your provider about taking more than one medication. |
A blood pressure measurement over 180/120 mm Hg is called a hypertensive emergency or crisis. Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these blood pressure numbers.
If you are an adult with a 10% risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years, or if you have chronic kidney disease, diabetes or coronary artery disease, your treatment goal is typically less than 130/80 mm Hg. If you’re a healthy adult age 65 or older, your treatment goal also is usually less than 130/80 mm Hg.
If your blood pressure is OK, maintaining or adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure or other health problems. If your blood pressure is high, a healthy lifestyle — oftentimes along with medication — can help bring it under control and reduce your risk of life-threatening complications.
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