What do the blood pressure numbers mean such as 120 80?

What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?

Blood Pressure Levels
At Risk (prehypertension)	systolic: 120–139 mm Hg diastolic: 80–89 mm Hg	Elevated
High Blood Pressure (hypertension)	systolic: 140 mm Hg or higher diastolic: 90 mm Hg or higher	High blood pressure (hypertension)

What are the two numbers like 120 over 80 that describe a person’s blood pressure?

Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers. The top number is called systolic blood pressure. The bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure. For example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mm Hg).

Should your blood pressure always be 120 80?

Normal blood pressure is commonly known to be around 120 over 80 (120/80). But that does not mean that anything above or below that number isn’t healthy. In fact, healthy blood pressure is generally considered within a range of blood pressure readings.

What do the two numbers mean when blood pressure is measured?

The basics of blood pressure A blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers expressed as a fraction. The top number, or systolic pressure, measures how much pressure is in the arteries when the heart contracts. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, measures the blood pressure between beats.

Is 160 over 80 a good blood pressure?

Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.

Is 120 systolic normal?

Here’s how to understand your systolic blood pressure number: Normal: Below 120. Elevated: 120-129. Stage 1 high blood pressure (also called hypertension): 130-139.

Is 120 81 A good blood pressure?

Under the current guidelines: Normal: Less than 120/80. Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80. Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89.

Is 120 over 82 a good blood pressure?

The guidelines, in a nutshell, state that normal blood pressure is under 120/80, whereas up until Monday, normal was under 140/90. Now, elevated blood pressure (without a diagnosis of hypertension) is systolic blood pressure (the top number) between 120 and 129.

What are the new blood pressure guidelines for seniors?

New Blood Pressure Standards for Seniors The ideal blood pressure for seniors is now considered 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), which is the same for younger adults. The high blood pressure range for seniors starts at hypertension stage 1, spanning between 130-139/80-89.

What does 120 over 80 mean on a blood pressure reading?

Use 120 over 80, which is written as 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury), as an example. The “120” is the top number and is known as systolic blood pressure. It represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The “80” is the bottom number and is known as diastolic blood pressure.

What is the normal range of blood pressure on a chart?

Blood Pressure Chart; BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY SYSTOLIC mm Hg (upper number) and/or DIASTOLIC mm Hg (lower number) NORMAL: LESS THAN 120: and: LESS THAN 80: ELEVATED: 120 – 129: and: LESS THAN 80: HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1: 130 – 139: or: 80 – 89: HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2: 140 OR HIGHER: or: 90 OR HIGHER

What does my blood pressure reading mean?

Blood pressure chart: What your reading means. Your total blood pressure reading is determined by measuring your systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Systolic blood pressure, the top number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries each time it beats. Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number,…

What does systolic and diastolic blood pressure measure?

Systolic blood pressure, the top number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries each time it beats. Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries in between beats.