Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNormal Blood PressureHigh Blood PressureHypertension TreatmentLow Blood PressureHypotension Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Normal Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension Treatment
Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension Treatment
Your blood pressure is the force of your blood as it moves through the arteries in your body. A blood pressure measurement is made up of two numbers:systolicblood pressure anddiastolicblood pressure.
When your blood pressure is not within a normal range, it puts you at risk of serious health problems includingheart attackandstroke. High blood pressure is generally a greater risk. It’s also calledhypertension. Low blood pressure is calledhypotension.
This article discusses what blood pressure level is considered normal, what it means when your blood pressure is too low or too high, how blood pressure conditions are treated, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Systolic Blood PressureThe first (top) number in a blood pressure readingThe force exerted against your artery walls when your heart beatsDiastolic Blood PressureThe second (bottom) number in a blood pressure readingThe force exerted against your artery walls when your heart is between beats
Systolic Blood PressureThe first (top) number in a blood pressure readingThe force exerted against your artery walls when your heart beats
The first (top) number in a blood pressure reading
The force exerted against your artery walls when your heart beats
Diastolic Blood PressureThe second (bottom) number in a blood pressure readingThe force exerted against your artery walls when your heart is between beats
The second (bottom) number in a blood pressure reading
The force exerted against your artery walls when your heart is between beats
What Is Normal Blood Pressure?
Having a normal blood pressure means that your systolic blood pressure ranges (on average) from 90 to 120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Your diastolic blood pressure is 60 to 80 mmHg.
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year. If an adult has one or morerisk factorsfor high blood pressure—for example, a family history or ahistory of smoking—they should be screened at least twice a year.
Here’s How to Interpret Your Blood Pressure Chart
What Is High Blood Pressure?
The ACC and the AHA recognize multiplestages of hypertension.
Elevated
An elevated blood pressure means that your systolic blood pressure ranges (on average) from 120 to 129 mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg.
If left untreated, elevated blood pressure puts you at risk for developing stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension.
Verywell
Stage 1
Stage 1 hypertension means that your systolic blood pressure is between 130 to 139 mmHgoryour diastolic blood pressure is between 80 to 89 mmHg.
Stage 2
Stage 2 hypertension means that your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higheroryour diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or above.
Hypertensive CrisisIf your blood pressure is above 180/120 mmHg, it’s considered a hypertensive crisis and you should seek medical help immediately. Call 911 if you also experience chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
Hypertensive Crisis
If your blood pressure is above 180/120 mmHg, it’s considered a hypertensive crisis and you should seek medical help immediately. Call 911 if you also experience chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
Understanding the ACC/AHA Definition
It’s important to mention that the definition of high blood pressure according to the ACC/AHA differs slightly from other professional societies, such as the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH).
The ESC/ESH defines high blood pressure as a systolic blood pressure that is 140 mmHg or higherora diastolic blood pressure that is 90 mmHg or higher.
The differences in definition are based on results from large studies that examined the link between blood pressure and the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.
Symptoms and Complications
Hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it often causes no symptoms (regardless of the stage) unless dangerous complications develop. High blood pressure puts you at risk for other serious conditions such as:
Wide Pulse Pressure: What Your Reading Means for Your Health
Treating High Blood Pressure
Treatment for high blood pressure typically involves lifestyle changes along with one or more medications. If you have elevated high blood pressure, lifestyle changes are the first step to avoid the progression to stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes that can lower blood pressure include:
Your healthcare provider may also recommend the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which has been found to lower blood pressure. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in red meats and sweets.
Why the DASH Diet Is Good for PCOS
Medications
Medication, along with lifestyle changes, is often very effective in lowering a person’s blood pressure.
The drugs used totreat high blood pressurecan be broken into four main categories:
Finding the right medication, or the right combination of drugs, to control your high blood pressure often requires a trial-and-error process. Your healthcare provider will help you to keep your treatment plan on target.
Natural and Prescription Ways to Lower Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
What Is Low Blood Pressure?
Low blood pressure, called hypotension, is defined as a systolic blood pressure that is less than 90 mmHg. It has several potential causes, such as:
Low blood pressure is generally not worrisome unless you have symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Depending on what is causing yourlow blood pressure, other potential symptoms may include:
What a Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure Means
Treating Low Blood Pressure
Thetreatments for low blood pressureinvolve addressing the underlying cause.
For instance, if you’re experiencing low blood pressure fromdehydration, the treatment would be to replace fluids andelectrolytes, minerals that play a key role in keeping your body healthy.
White Coat Syndrome and High Blood Pressure (HBP): What to Know
Summary
Your blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and recorded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A normal systolic blood pressure is 90 to 120 mmHg (the top number) while a normal diastolic pressure is 60 to 80 mmHg (the lower number).
Your blood pressure is considered elevated when the systolic number is between 120 and 129. The stages of hypertension then increase from there, with a serious hypertensive crisis defined as anything at or above 180/120.
Lifestyle changes and medication are used to control high blood pressure. Low blood pressure can be a problem too, but treatment usually focuses on the underlying condition that’s causing it.
A Word From Verywell
Even if your blood pressure is normal, it’s important to engage in healthy lifestyle habits—the same ones you would engage in if your blood pressure were high. These habits include losing excess weight,exercising, reducing alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
Heart-Health Numbers You Should Know
3 SourcesVerywell 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.Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol.2018;71:e127-e248. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000066Williams B et al.2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension.Eur Heart J. 2018 Sep 1;39(33):3021-104. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - When blood pressure is too low.Additional ReadingAmerican Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.
3 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.Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol.2018;71:e127-e248. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000066Williams B et al.2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension.Eur Heart J. 2018 Sep 1;39(33):3021-104. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - When blood pressure is too low.Additional ReadingAmerican Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.
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.
Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol.2018;71:e127-e248. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000066Williams B et al.2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension.Eur Heart J. 2018 Sep 1;39(33):3021-104. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - When blood pressure is too low.
Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.J Am Coll Cardiol.2018;71:e127-e248. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000066
Williams B et al.2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension.Eur Heart J. 2018 Sep 1;39(33):3021-104. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy339
American Heart Association.Low blood pressure - When blood pressure is too low.
American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.
MedlinePlus.Low blood pressure.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
