Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBlood Pressure Chart for AdultsBlood Pressure Chart for KidsBlood Pressure StagesTaking Blood PressureWhen to Call Your Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Blood Pressure Chart for Adults
Blood Pressure Chart for Kids
Blood Pressure Stages
Taking Blood Pressure
When to Call Your Provider
Blood pressure measures the force pressed against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. Average blood pressure tends to rise with age and can differ for males and females. Knowing your pressure, and how to take it, can help you to avoidhypertension(high blood pressure).
With blood pressure, the top number (systolic pressure) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic pressure) measures the pressure in your arteries between each heartbeat. The “mm Hg” stands for millimeters of mercury, and both numbers matter.
This blood pressure chart shows average values for age and gender. These are not ranges for healthy blood pressure.
As you get older, your blood vessels tend to become stiffer, and plaque (a fatty material) can build up in them, which can raise your blood pressure. If your blood pressure becomes too high, especially the systolic number, you may be at a greater risk forheart disease,strokes, and more.
Race, Ethnicity, and High Blood PressureRace and ethnicity appear to affect blood pressure and its treatment. For example, some studies show higher rates of high blood pressure but lower rates of effective treatment among Black people.Health equity goals focus on identifying barriers to care and ending disparities in how high blood pressure is prevented and treated.
Race, Ethnicity, and High Blood Pressure
Race and ethnicity appear to affect blood pressure and its treatment. For example, some studies show higher rates of high blood pressure but lower rates of effective treatment among Black people.Health equity goals focus on identifying barriers to care and ending disparities in how high blood pressure is prevented and treated.
The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital provides this blood pressure chart as an example but not a substitute for an individualized assessment.
High blood pressure for adults is divided into stages. At each stage, there is a greater risk to your health. A hypertensive crisis, which is measured at 180/120, is a sharp increase of blood pressure that may cause a stroke.
A consistent rise in your blood pressure over time comes with an increased risk to your health. Steps to prevent or treat high blood pressure can include the following:
Your healthcare provider may be aware of specific risk factors that inform the treatment plan. Apart from lifestyle factors, they may consider age, sex, and family history. If you are diagnosed with obesity or another underlying condition like diabetes, this may affect your risk.
Typically, more attention is given to the systolic pressure reading, as systolic blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people over the age of 50. Still, both readings are used to make ablood pressure diagnosis.
How to Take Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure testing stations can be found in pharmacies, workplaces, and medical clinics. You can also buy a blood pressure monitor online or at your local pharmacy. To measure blood pressure:
If you’re taking your blood pressure at home, there are certain steps you can take to get the most accurate reading possible:
Take more than one reading per day to allow for time, temperature, stress, and other variables.
Choosing a Blood Pressure Monitor
The AHA recommends an automatic, cuff-style, bicep (upper-arm) monitor, but there are other options.When selecting a blood pressure monitor, consider the following:
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
A hypertensive crisis—defined as blood pressure above 180/120 mm Hg—requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you have hypertension with any of the followingsymptoms:
It’s also important to talk about blood pressure during routine visits, to ensure you’re getting a proper diagnosis and treatment of newly emer
Hypertension Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Summary
Blood pressure increases with age, but exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking can help lower your risk of hypertension (high blood pressure). Seeing your healthcare provider for regular blood pressure checks and learning to check your own can help you stay healthy.
Monitoring your blood pressure is a part of maintaining your overall health. If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, using a blood pressure cuff at home and keeping an eye on values in a blood pressure chart can help you understand how well your blood pressure is controlled
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Burks C, Shimbo D, Bowling CB.Long-term Monitoring of Blood Pressure in Older Adults: A Focus on Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring.Clin Geriatr Med. 2024 Nov;40(4):573-583. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2024.04.009
Virani S, Alonso A, Aparicio H, et al.Heart disease and stroke statistics—2021 update.Circulation. 2021 Jan;143(8):254-743. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000950
American Heart Association.What is high blood pressure?
Harvard Health Publishing.Which blood pressure number is important?
Colvin CL, Kalejaiye A, Ogedegbe G, Commodore-Mensah Y.Advancing Equity in Blood Pressure Control: A Response to the Surgeon General’s Call-to-Action.Am J Hypertens. 2022 Mar 8;35(3):217-224. doi:10.1093/ajh/hpab187
Baylor College of Medicine.Age-based Pediatric Blood Pressure Reference Charts.
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.Vital signs: normal blood pressure (mmHg) (PICU chart).
American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
American Heart Association.Hypertensive crisis: When you should call 911 for high blood pressure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know your risk for high blood pressure.
National Institute on Aging.High blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Monitoring your blood pressure at home.
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