Clicky

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in two American adults, or about 103 million people, suffer from high blood pressure. This “silent killer” has been implicated in a number of serious conditions, including heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure comes with a lot of risk factors and is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States such as heart attacks, and a 38 percent increase in high blood pressure-related deaths occurred between 2005 and 2015. Maybe you want to get your high blood pressure back to normal, but you’re not even sure what normal blood pressure even is, much less how to get there. Measuring blood pressure can be a bit confusing at first before you understand where the readings come from.

Share This Post

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in two American adults, or about 103 million people, suffer from high blood pressure.

This “silent killer” has been implicated in a number of serious conditions, including heart disease and stroke.

High blood pressure comes with a lot of risk factors and is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States such as heart attacks, and a 38 percent increase in high blood pressure-related deaths occurred between 2005 and 2015.

Maybe you want to get your high blood pressure back to normal, but you’re not even sure what normal blood pressure even is, much less how to get there.

Measuring blood pressure can be a bit confusing at first before you understand where the readings come from.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the natural force at which your blood pushes against the walls of the blood vessels on the way to deliver oxygen to your tissues and organs.

The heart is responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to various areas throughout the body in order to keep our bodies functioning normally and keep us alive.

The main function of the heart is to pump blood throughout our bodies, and your blood pressure reading measures the force at which this occurs.

How is blood pressure measured?

When blood pressure is measured, it actually includes two different measurements: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Systolic pressure measures the force at which blood hits the walls of the blood vessels when it is actively being pumped out of the heart and into the arteries.

Systolic pressure can be considered “active” and it will appear as the top number listed in your blood pressure reading.

The bottom number on your blood pressure reading measures diastolic pressure. This “resting” pressure is the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats.

There are five different categories for blood pressure.

Blood pressure readings are written by placing the systolic blood pressure, or “active,” number on top and the diastolic, or “resting,” number on the bottom. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. 

  • Low blood pressure: Less than 90 over less than 60 (Less than 90/less than 60)
  • Normal: 90 – 120 over 60 – 80 (90-120/60-80)
  • Elevated: 120 – 129 over less than 80 (120-129/less than 80)
  • Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130-139 over 80 – 89 (130-139/80-89)
  • Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140 and above over 90 and above (140 and above/90 and above)
  • Hypertension crisis: higher than 180 over higher than 120 (higher than 180/higher than 120). In cases of a hypertension crisis, seek medical attention right away.

What is low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a medical condition characterized by a consistently lower than normal flow of blood to the tissues, organs, and extremities.

Low blood pressure readings would see a systolic pressure of less than 90 and a diastolic pressure of less than 60 on a consistent basis.

Low blood pressure is generally not a cause for concern in people who are otherwise healthy and experience no symptoms.

After all the talk about how dangerous high blood pressure is, having low blood pressure might even seem ideal.  

However, low blood pressure can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical problem, especially in people over the age of 65. Without an adequate blood supply,  dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting can occur. 

What is normal blood pressure?

Having normal blood pressure – neither too low nor too high – is considered ideal.

Normal blood pressure is characterized by a systolic reading between 90 and 120 and a diastolic reading of 60 to 80.

To keep your blood pressure at a normal level, you should continue to maintain a healthy weight, get plenty of exercise, and stay away from smoking.

Even if your blood pressure is normal now, you should be aware of any family history of high blood pressure and continue to monitor your blood pressure as you age, as having high blood pressure grows more likely over time.

What is elevated blood pressure?

Elevated blood pressure is defined as having a systolic reading that is between 120 and 129 and a diastolic pressure reading that is less than 80.

While elevated blood pressure isn’t an immediate concern – yet – it’s the first warning sign that you may experience high blood pressure in the future.

You won’t need to take any medication to control elevated blood pressure, and it can usually be managed by making lifestyle changes like adding more activity into your schedule and eating a balanced diet. 

What is Stage 1 high blood pressure?

An official diagnosis of high blood pressure begins with Stage 1 high blood pressure.

People with Stage 1 hypertension will report a systolic reading between 130 and 139 and a diastolic heart beat reading between 80 and 89. While one reading at this level may not be cause for alarm, consistent readings at a Stage 1 level indicate that you have high blood pressure.

You should spend one month trying to lower your blood pressure by making changes to your lifestyle (more on that below).

If you do not see an improvement to your blood pressure within one month and you’re at high risk for heart disease, your doctor may consider adding a blood pressure medication to your routine.

Patients who are at a lower risk for heart disease may be given three to six months to improve their blood pressure through lifestyle changes before taking medication. 

What is Stage 2 high blood pressure?

Stage 2 hypertension is a serious condition that requires more significant intervention.

Stage 2 high blood pressure is defined by a systolic pressure reading of more than 140 and a diastolic reading of more than 90.

Individuals with Stage 2 hypertension will need to make immediate and substantial changes to their lifestyle to reduce their blood pressure, and they are likely to be prescribed medication to treat their blood pressure.

While medication is an important tool for fighting substantially high blood pressure, it should not be solely relied upon to treat the condition.

Lifestyle changes are of equal importance. Left untreated, Stage 2 high blood pressure can result in heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. 

What is a hypertension crisis?

A hypertension crisis occurs when a blood pressure reading of over 180 is taken for systolic pressure and over 120 is taken for diastolic pressure.

Regardless of whether or not symptoms are present, blood pressure in this range is a serious emergency and requires immediate treatment.

If you receive a blood pressure reading in this range, wait several minutes and then take your blood pressure again to ensure that the reading is not in error. Accompanying symptoms may include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Visual changes
  • Symptoms of stroke
  • Paralysis
  • Loss of muscle control
  • Blood in the urine
  • Dizziness
  • Headache

How can I keep my blood pressure at a healthy level?

Due to the large number of lifestyle factors that play a role in high blood pressure, there are many steps you can take to lower your risk with a few simple lifestyle changes.

Start by incorporating one or more of these changes into your daily routine:

  • Exercise regularly: Aim to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days per week.
  • Shed extra weight: People who are overweight or obese should lose excess weight. Losing just five to ten pounds can lead to a noticeable drop in your blood pressure.
  • Reduce carbs and sugar intake: Low carb diets have been shown to reduce blood pressure in addition to helping people manage their weight.
  • Limit sodium:  Reducing salt intake is one of the most important steps for people with high blood pressure. Cut out added sodium from your diet by removing processed foods and adding salt to your meal after cooking. 
  • Eat whole foods: Eating whole foods like lean meats, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit will help you manage weight and keep added sodium out of your diet. 
  • Stop smoking: Nicotine is a stimulant that immediately increases your blood pressure and heart rate. Quitting smoking will help lower your blood pressure. 
  • Learn to manage stress: In an ideal world, you’ll want to eliminate as much stress as possible. If you can’t cut back on professional and domestic obligations try practicing deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation or add in a little yoga. 
  • Eat dark chocolate: Lowering your blood pressure isn’t all miserable. Eating one to two squares of 60 to 70 percent cacao dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure and inflammation, but make sure to enjoy it in moderation. 
  • Prioritize sleep: Studies have shown that sleep deprived people have a higher risk of high blood pressure, so it’s imperative that you get your eight hours. 
  • Drink less alcohol:  Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum (one drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men), as it’s been shown to raise blood pressure even in healthy people.
  • Cut your caffeine intake: Caffeine is a stimulant that immediately and temporarily increases your blood pressure. Cut it out if you have high blood pressure. 
  • Take medication if needed: If you already live a healthy lifestyle but still have high blood pressure, or if your blood pressure is very high, you may need to take a prescription medication to lower your blood pressure.
     

References, Studies and Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm

medically reviewed and fact checked

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

Share This Post

Pharmacists.org Discount Club

Get Started for $1.

  • Cheapest cash pay option at your retail pharmacy
  • 1,000s of drugs below $10.00 that can beat your co-pay
  • Start for $1 for your first month. Cancel anytime. 
  • Tell us your meds, we tell you the cheapest options.

Popular Destinations

Recent Articles

doctor checking phone for prescription

Amlodipine side effects: What are they?

Over 108 million people, or 45 percent of American adults, are currently dealing with hypertension, or high blood pressure, whether they know it or not. Because high blood pressure doesn’t always cause symptoms and just so happens to be the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, it’s known as the “silent killer” – many people have no idea they are affected until it’s too late. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, high-stress levels, not getting enough exercise, and not getting enough sleep all play a role in causing high blood pressure, but the condition can also be caused by other factors, such as medical conditions and certain medications. Lifestyle changes won’t control high blood pressure for everyone, and although they’re an important first step, sometimes treatment with medication is necessary.  One medication commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure is amlodipine.

Read More »
doctor

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

If you’re one of the one in two Americans struggling to keep their blood pressure at a manageable level, you may be looking for more ways to manage your condition. High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” because it produces few symptoms but is a major contributor to many of the leading causes of death, including heart disease and stroke. Before we can talk about how to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, it’s important to understand what causes high blood pressure, what types of problems it can cause in our bodies, and what our blood pressure goals should be.

Read More »
image of pills

What Is Losartan Potassium?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimatesthat about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is influenced by a number of factors, including diet, activity level, stress, medications, and medical conditions, and doctors generally advise hypertensive patients to make serious lifestyle changes, like eating right and exercising more. Lifestyle changes will be effective in reducing or eliminating high blood pressure for many people, but others might need additional treatment in the form of blood pressure medication to bring their condition under control. Regardless of how patients get their high blood pressure under control, doing so is critical; high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, and many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure until it is too late. If your doctor has recommended taking losartan potassium in conjunction with making lifestyle changes to control your high blood pressure, here’s what you need to know about the medication.

Read More »

What Is Amlodipine?

Nearly half of American adults (108 million people, or 45 percent of the adult population) is currently struggling with hypertension, or high blood pressure. Common advice from doctors includes making serious lifestyle changes, like eating right and exercising more. While lifestyle changes are important and can reduce or eliminate high blood pressure for many people, others may require treatment with a blood pressure medication like an ACE inhibitor or beta-blocker in addition to lifestyle changes in order to bring their blood pressure under control. High blood pressure is called the silent killer; because it is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths and heart failure in the United States, but many people have no symptoms and are unaware that they have high blood pressure until it is too late. If your doctor has recommended taking an antihypertensive medication in conjunction with living a healthy lifestyle to control your here’s what you need to know about the medication.

Read More »

Share On:

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore

What Is Lisinopril Used For?

Lisinopril is a first-line treatment drug recommended for hypertension, but it also has other less well-known uses.

Amlodipine side effects: What are they?

Over 108 million people, or 45 percent of American adults, are currently dealing with hypertension, or high blood pressure, whether they know it or

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

If you’re one of the one in two Americans struggling to keep their blood pressure at a manageable level, you may be looking for

What Is Losartan Potassium?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimatesthat about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood pressure, also

What Is Amlodipine?

Nearly half of American adults (108 million people, or 45 percent of the adult population) is currently struggling with hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Losartan Potassium Side Effects: What Are They?

If you’re one of the 108 million American adults (about 45 percent of the adult population) currently suffering from high blood pressure, you’re definitely

Can a Garlic Supplement Prevent Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America due to many different risk factors. The use of garlic supplementation may help reduce

What is Metoprolol tartrate?

If you’re one of the more than 100 million American adults struggling to manage your high blood pressure, your doctor may have spoken to

Lisinopril Side Effects: What Are They?

One hundred million American adults are struggling to manage their high blood pressure, and if you’re one of them, you’ve likely been told by

Does Aspirin Lower Blood Pressure?

Aspirin, a common medication that is known to reduce the risk of heart attack, has been studied to see whether or not it might

When To Take Lisinopril

Need to know when to take lisinopril? Learn why it’s important to take it at the right time of day.

Does Timing Matter for Blood Pressure Medications?

Uncontrolled blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major burden in the United States that contributes to high heart disease rates, heart attacks, and stroke.

Can Potassium Help Manage High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects about half of all adults living in the United States. Preventing and controlling blood pressure through healthy habits

What are Foods to Avoid with High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is heavily influenced by a number of lifestyle factors, which means there are lots of different ways to manage your condition.

What is Lisinopril?

Today, one of the first-line treatments for high blood pressure is lisinopril. Exactly what is lisinopril and what is it used for?

Losartan Potassium Side Effects: What Are They?

Losartan potassium is a commonly prescribed high blood pressure medication that can help lower high blood pressure in hypertensive patients when used in conjunction

How to lower your blood pressure?

Picture yourself and two coworkers. You’re all pretty healthy, right? Appearances can be deceiving. The American Heart Association estimates that about 103 million people,

How Does Lisinopril work?

Drugs within all of these classes are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular problems and some of these names might be familiar to you. Each of

What is Low Blood Pressure?

We often hear about the dangers of high blood pressure, but is it possible for your blood pressure to be too low? With high

What does Amlodipine do?

About 45 percent of the American adult population, or 108 million people, struggle with hypertension, or high blood pressure. This “silent killer” is so