Normal blood pressure values
For most adults, current American Heart Association guidance defines normal blood pressure as:
Reading Category
Below 120/80 mmHg ✅ Normal
120–129 / below 80 Elevated
130–139 or 80–89 High — Stage 1
140 or higher or 90 or higher High — Stage 2
Over 180 and/or 120 🚨 Severe hypertension
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professional.heart.org
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The top number (systolic) measures pressure when your heart beats; the bottom number (diastolic) measures pressure between beats.
A single high reading doesn’t necessarily mean you have hypertension. For home measurements, sit quietly for about 5 minutes, then take two readings about a minute apart and keep a record.
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American Heart Association
If your reading is above 180/120, repeat it after a few minutes. If it remains that high, contact a healthcare professional promptly; if it is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness/numbness, vision changes, severe headache, or difficulty speaking, seek emergency medical care.
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American Heart Association
If you give me your age and blood-pressure reading (for example, 65 years old, 145/85), I can explain exactly what it means.
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