A blood pressure reading measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries and is expressed as two numbers:
📊 Understanding a Blood Pressure Reading
Example: 120/80 mmHg
- Systolic (top number) – 120
- Pressure in arteries when the heart beats (contracts)
- Diastolic (bottom number) – 80
- Pressure in arteries when the heart rests between beats
🩺 Blood Pressure Categories for Adults
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | < 120 | < 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | < 80 |
| High Blood Pressure (Stage 1) | 130–139 | 80–89 |
| High Blood Pressure (Stage 2) | ≥ 140 | ≥ 90 |
| Hypertensive Crisis | > 180 | > 120 |
💡 Tips for Accurate Measurement
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
- Use a properly sized cuff on your bare arm
- Keep your arm at heart level
- Take 2–3 readings a few minutes apart and average them
If you want, I can show a visual color-coded blood pressure chart that makes it easy to see if your reading is normal, elevated, or high.
Do you want me to make that?
