Classify your blood pressure reading using AHA guidelines. Get your category, pulse pressure, MAP, and personalized recommendations.
Quick Answer:Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. Elevated is 120-129/<80. Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139/80-89. Stage 2 hypertension is 140+/90+. A hypertensive crisis is above 180/120 and requires immediate medical attention.
Blood Pressure Category
Calculating... 120/80 mmHg
Pulse Pressure
--
Mean Arterial Pressure
--
Risk Level
--
Heart Rate Status
--
Recommendation
--
For the most accurate blood pressure reading, sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring. Place your arm at heart level, use a properly sized cuff, and avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Take two readings 1-2 minutes apart and average them. Home monitoring is now recommended by the AHA for all adults with elevated blood pressure. A single high reading does not mean you have hypertension -- diagnosis requires elevated readings on multiple occasions.
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number), expressed in mmHg. Systolic pressure measures the force when your heart beats and pushes blood through arteries. Diastolic pressure measures the force when your heart rests between beats. A reading of 120/80 mmHg means systolic is 120 and diastolic is 80. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg according to the American Heart Association.
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) represents the average pressure in your arteries during one cardiac cycle. It is calculated as: MAP = Diastolic + (Pulse Pressure / 3), where Pulse Pressure = Systolic - Diastolic. A normal MAP ranges from 70-100 mmHg. MAP is important because it reflects the actual perfusion pressure that delivers blood to your organs. A MAP below 60 mmHg means organs may not receive adequate blood supply, while a MAP above 100 mmHg indicates increased cardiac workload.
The American Heart Association defines five blood pressure categories: Normal (systolic less than 120 AND diastolic less than 80), Elevated (systolic 120-129 AND diastolic less than 80), Stage 1 Hypertension (systolic 130-139 OR diastolic 80-89), Stage 2 Hypertension (systolic 140 or higher OR diastolic 90 or higher), and Hypertensive Crisis (systolic over 180 OR diastolic over 120). If you get a hypertensive crisis reading, wait 5 minutes and test again. If still high, seek emergency medical care immediately.