• Blood force per unit area readings are a measurement of two numbers: systolic and diastolic.
  • These two numbers can tell y'all if your blood pressure is low, normal, elevated, high, or if you're having a hypertensive crisis (very high).
  • Hither'due south how to read your blood pressure level measurements and understand what information technology means for yous.
  • This article was medically reviewed by John Osborne, Medico, PhD, and the Director of Cardiology for Dallas-based Country of the Heart Cardiology.
  • This story is a function of Insider's guide to Loftier Claret Force per unit area.

High claret pressure is known every bit the "silent killer" because information technology usually doesn't come with symptoms, and it can be dangerous if left untreated.

The only mode to know your blood pressure level and keep track of your heart health is through accurate readings and frequent measurements.

Here's what yous need to know about your blood force per unit area reading and what it means for you.

Blood pressure readings

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing confronting the arteries in your torso. It is measured by two numbers:

  • Systolic pressure (top number). The force per unit area exerted confronting your artery walls when your middle beats.
  • Diastolic pressure (bottom number). The force per unit area exerted against your avenue walls when your center rests, in between beats.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). To decide whether someone has loftier blood pressure level , known medically as hypertension, doctors classify claret pressure readings into dissimilar categories.

Shayanne Gal/Insider

Normal blood pressure

Normal blood pressure is considered:

  • Systolic: Lower than 120 mm Hg
  • Diastolic: Lower than lxxx mm Hg

If yous have a blood pressure reading around this number, it generally ways your heart is healthy. However, even if you have normal blood pressure, certain factors tin increase your risk of developing hypertension over time.

These include:

  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Physical inactivity, or lack of practise
  • Obesity, or excess body fatty
  • Consuming too much salt
  • Eating likewise trivial potassium
  • Drinking besides much alcohol
  • Family history of hypertension

Depression claret pressure

Sometimes, blood pressure tin can be lower than normal. Depression blood pressure is considered:

  • Systolic: Lower than 90 mm Hg
  • Diastolic: Lower than threescore mm Hg

Low blood pressure isn't always crusade for business organization — in fact, information technology's often harmless, and can even indicate good wellness.

"If you're an athlete, an exerciser, or someone who does a lot of things to take care of their body, it tin can be normal to have a relatively low blood pressure," says Jordana Cohen, MD, a hypertension expert at Penn Medicine.

Withal, you should check in with your doctor when low blood force per unit area is accompanied past the following symptoms:

  • Lightheadedness upon standing
  • Dizziness
  • Quick, shallow animate
  • Unusual thirst
  • Nausea

This may be a upshot of certain atmospheric condition or medications. Depression blood pressure level typically occurs with Parkinson's disease, hormonal changes, and pregnancy.

Elevated blood pressure

Elevated blood pressure is considered:

  • Systolic: 120 to 129 mm Hg
  • Diastolic: Lower than 80 mm Hg

This is the first warning sign for hypertension — and it'south ofttimes called pre-hypertension. Your doctor will talk with you about implementing lifestyle changes that can finer lower claret pressure, including:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Get more practice
  • Lower sodium intake
  • Eat a more balanced nutrition
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress

Hypertension: Stage 1

Hypertension is considered:

  • Systolic: 130 to 139 mm Hg
  • Diastolic: fourscore to 89 mm Hg

Medication is by and large not considered necessary to treat hypertension at this level, and you should instead commit to making those healthier lifestyle choices to lower blood pressure, says Cohen.

If y'all have to focus your energy on one blood-pressure-reducing activity, Cohen recommends practise, as it non only lowers blood pressure on its own, but it can also reduce stress, which is another cause of loftier claret pressure.

Hypertension: Stage ii

Hypertension becomes worse when it rises to:

  • Systolic: more than than 140 mm Hg
  • Diastolic: more than xc mm Hg

While intensive lifestyle modification to reduce high claret force per unit area is still necessary, Cohen says medication is likewise typically required to lower someone'south stage 2 hypertension.

If left untreated, blood pressure this high can lead to the following health threats:

  • Eye attack
  • Heart failure
  • Stroke
  • Vision loss
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Kidney disease or kidney failure

Hypertensive crunch

A hypertensive crisis is considered:

  • Systolic: more 180 mm Hg
  • Diastolic: more than 120 mm Hg

This can be very unsafe and require immediate medical attention, particularly if information technology's combined with the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of jiff
  • Headache
  • Nosebleed
  • Severe feet
  • Back pain
  • Numbness
  • Changes in vision

A hypertensive crisis tin result in organ impairment, and indicates a heightened risk for stroke, eye attack, and other life-threatening consequences. If y'all're experiencing blood force per unit area this high along with any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

How often should you measure claret pressure?

If yous accept normal blood pressure level, and your doctor thinks you're at a low risk for developing hypertension, you'll likely merely become your blood pressure measured once a year, at a routine cheque-up.

Notwithstanding, if you're at risk or have hypertension, your medico may recommend that you check blood pressure level at home.

If you have a clinician-approved at-dwelling house blood force per unit area measuring kit, y'all should mensurate your claret force per unit area twice in the morn and twice in the evening, waiting a minute between readings, says Cohen.

Additionally, she says it's of import to calmly wait five minutes before measuring your claret force per unit area, as it can affect the accuracy of your reading.

"If you're checking your blood pressure when you're exercising, moving around, or without taking that five infinitesimal intermission, then information technology'due south but not a useful claret pressure," Cohen says.

Cohen recommends using a claret pressure measuring device from an accredited source, such as Validate BP. Devices are independently reviewed by experts associated with the American Heart Association to see which ones provide the best, clinically accurate results.

  • Dark chocolate tin be skillful for your heart, in moderation
  • What is a silent eye attack? How to recognize the alert signs
  • How hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are related
  • How to lower blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet and practise

MK Manoylov is a contributer at INSIDER and a freelance science writer. MK is currently pursuing a principal's degree from New York University's Science, Wellness, and Environmental Reporting Plan (SHERP). When not reporting on a story, yous tin can discover MK writing fiction.