How to Interpret a Blood Pressure Reading

March 02, 2022 Post a Comment

Blood pressure readings are a measurement of two numbers: systolic and diastolic.
These two numbers can tell you if your blood force per unit area is low, normal, elevated, high, or if you're having a hypertensive crisis (very high).
Hither's how to read your blood pressure measurements and empathize what it ways for you.
This article was medically reviewed past John Osborne, Doc, PhD, and the Director of Cardiology for Dallas-based Country of the Centre Cardiology.
This story is a part of Insider's guide to High Blood Force per unit area.

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

The only way to know your claret pressure and keep track of your centre health is through authentic readings and frequent measurements.

Here'southward what you need to know most your blood pressure reading and what information technology means for you.

Blood pressure readings

Blood pressure is the force of claret pushing against the arteries in your trunk. Information technology is measured by ii numbers:

Systolic pressure level (top number). The pressure exerted against your avenue walls when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure level (bottom number). The pressure level exerted against your artery walls when your heart rests, in between beats.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). To determine whether someone has high blood pressure , known medically every bit hypertension, doctors allocate blood pressure readings into different categories.

Normal blood pressure

Normal blood pressure is considered:

Systolic: Lower than 120 mm Hg
Diastolic: Lower than eighty mm Hg

If you have a claret pressure reading around this number, it generally means your heart is healthy. However, even if you have normal claret pressure, sure factors can increase your take chances of developing hypertension over time.

These include:

Smoking cigarettes
Physical inactivity, or lack of exercise
Obesity, or excess body fat
Consuming too much common salt
Eating too little potassium
Drinking as well much alcohol
Family unit history of hypertension

Low claret pressure

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

Systolic: Lower than 90 mm Hg
Diastolic: Lower than 60 mm Hg

Low blood pressure level isn't always cause for business organization — in fact, information technology's often harmless, and can fifty-fifty bespeak skillful wellness.

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

Yet, you should check in with your medico when depression blood pressure is accompanied by the post-obit symptoms:

Lightheadedness upon continuing
Dizziness
Quick, shallow breathing
Unusual thirst
Nausea

This may be a result of certain conditions or medications. Low blood pressure typically occurs with Parkinson'south disease, hormonal changes, and pregnancy.

Elevated blood force per unit area

Elevated blood pressure level is considered:

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

This is the outset warning sign for hypertension — and it's frequently called pre-hypertension. Your doctor volition talk with yous about implementing lifestyle changes that can effectively lower claret pressure, including:

Maintain a healthy weight
Get more exercise
Lower sodium intake
Eat a more balanced diet
Limit booze consumption
Quit smoking
Manage stress

Hypertension: Phase 1

Hypertension is considered:

Systolic: 130 to 139 mm Hg
Diastolic: 80 to 89 mm Hg

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

If you have to focus your energy on one claret-pressure-reducing action, Cohen recommends exercise, every bit it non only lowers claret pressure on its own, but it can also reduce stress, which is another cause of loftier blood force per unit area.

Hypertension: Phase ii

Hypertension becomes worse when it rises to:

Systolic: more than 140 mm Hg
Diastolic: more than 90 mm Hg

While intensive lifestyle modification to reduce high blood pressure is still necessary, Cohen says medication is also typically required to lower someone'due south stage 2 hypertension.

If left untreated, blood force per unit area this loftier can lead to the post-obit health threats:

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

Hypertensive crisis

A hypertensive crisis is considered:

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

This can exist very dangerous and crave immediate medical attention, peculiarly if it's combined with the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath
Headache
Nosebleed
Severe anxiety
Back pain
Numbness
Changes in vision

A hypertensive crisis can result in organ impairment, and indicates a heightened take a chance for stroke, heart assault, and other life-threatening consequences. If you're experiencing blood pressure this high along with whatsoever of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

How often should you measure blood pressure?

If you lot have normal claret pressure, and your medico thinks you're at a low risk for developing hypertension, yous'll likely simply get your blood pressure measured once a year, at a routine check-up.

However, if y'all're at hazard or take hypertension, your doctor may recommend that you check blood pressure at home.

If you have a clinician-canonical at-habitation claret pressure level measuring kit, you should measure your blood pressure twice in the morning time and twice in the evening, waiting a infinitesimal between readings, says Cohen.

Additionally, she says information technology'due south of import to calmly await v minutes before measuring your blood pressure level, as it can affect the accuracy of your reading.

"If you're checking your claret pressure when you're exercising, moving effectually, or without taking that five minute intermission, and so it's just non a useful claret pressure," Cohen says.

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

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MK Manoylov is a contributer at INSIDER and a freelance science writer. MK is currently pursuing a master's degree from New York University'south Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program (SHERP). When not reporting on a story, you tin can find MK writing fiction.