Blood Pressure Readings
A blood pressure reading indicates how your blood moves through the body and becomes a valuable way to learn about your overall health.
Some people find blood pressure readings helpful in finding ways to manage their day-to-day lives better. At the same time, others choose their readings as part of routine testing or physical therapy after a heart attack to help ensure long-lasting quality of life.
But what does it mean? This page will clarify everything about blood pressure readings you may be curious to know about.
What Does A Blood Pressure Reading Mean?
If you have a blood pressure reading taken by a doctor, it means that they are trying to measure the force of the blood flowing through your veins.
Blood pressure readings vary from person to person, and also change over time.A typical blood pressure reading will be between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg.
High blood pressures can be dangerous and lead to heart disease and stroke. A normal blood pressure reading is not harmful, but readings that are high or low should be evaluated by a doctor.
What Is A Blood Pressure Number Mean?
When your BP is measured, you will be given two figures: a top number and a bottom number.
Systolic blood pressure: The first (top number), or highest level, of your blood pressure is when your heart beats and creates a continuous pulse. This pulse forces blood around your body to help it function properly.
Diastolic blood pressure. The second (bottom) number, is the lowest level your BP reaches as your heart relaxes between the heartbeats.
What Do The Different Blood Pressure Readings Mean?
Blood pressure readings may vary from 50 to 140 for diastolic pressure and 80 to 230 and above for systolic pressure.
Keep on reading to learn more about the different ranges.
- Very Low Blood Pressure (Severe Hypotension): Below 80/50
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): 80/50 – 90/60
- Normal Blood Pressure: 91/61 – 119/79
- Pre-Hypertension or High Normal: 120/80 – 139/89
- High Blood Pressure (Stage 1 Hypertension): 140/90 – 159/99
- High Blood Pressure (Stage 2 Hypertension): 160/100 – 180/110
- Hypertensive Crisis: Above 180/110
Very Low Blood Pressure (Severe Hypotension)
BPR range: below 80/50
Severe hypotension, or very low blood pressure, is readings below 80/50. The effects could be different for every person. While some people feel fine at this stage, others feel low and woozy.
A serious cardiac condition or infection could be the underlying reason for extremely low blood pressure. Note that in rare cases, extreme hypotension can lead to shock.
Specific blood pressure readings:
75/45, 75/40, 70/45, 70/40, 65/45, 65/40, 60/45, 60/40, 55/45, 55/40, 50/45, 50/40, 45/45, 45/40, 40/45, 40/40
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
BPR range: 80/50 – 90/60
Your blood pressure might be low when your readings are at or below 90/60. People with low blood pressure might experience lightheadedness, more frequent dizziness, and fainting. At this point, they may or may not consult a doctor.
The majority of the time, you shouldn’t worry if your blood pressure is low unless you’re feeling some symptoms.
Specific blood pressure readings:
90/60, 90/55, 90/50, 85/60, 85/55, 85/50, 80/60, 80/55, 80/50
Normal Blood Pressure
BPR range: 91/61 – 119/79
Blood pressure is considered normal if the readings are greater than 90/60 and less than 120/80. You feel fine with no symptoms of high or low blood pressure.
Specific blood pressure readings:
115/75, 115/70, 115/65, 110/75, 110/70, 110/65, 105/75, 105/70, 105/65, 100/75, 100/70, 100/65, 95/75, 95/70, 95/65
Pre-Hypertension or High Normal
BPR range: 120/80 – 139/89
If you’re diagnosed with Pre-Hypertension, High Normal or Normal Blood Pressure (135/88 or below), then you don’t have hypertension. But it’s still important to monitor your blood pressure as it is higher than recommended for most adults.
People with pre-hypertension have a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than those with lower blood pressure. You can consider natural supplements to lower blood pressure at this stage.
Specific blood pressure readings:
135/85, 135/80, 130/85, 130/80, 125/85, 125/80, 120/85, 120/80
High Blood Pressure (Stage 1 Hypertension)
BPR range: 140/90 – 159/99
The blood pressure in your arteries is stronger than usual if your readings fall between 140/90 and 159/99, which denotes Stage 1 Hypertension. A systolic blood pressure of 140 or more and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 or more are both indicators of hypertension.
But, before a hypertension diagnosis can be made, elevated blood pressure must be proven for at least three days.
Specific blood pressure readings:
155/95, 155/90, 150/95, 150/90, 145/95, 145/90, 140/95, 140/90
High Blood Pressure (Stage 2 Hypertension)
BPR range: 160/100 – 180/110
Stage 2 hypertension is indicated by readings between 160/110 and 180/110. If your blood pressure is in this range, you run an increased risk of developing potentially fatal conditions like a heart attack or stroke.
Lowering your blood pressure with medication and lifestyle adjustments is crucial for your health.
Specific blood pressure readings:
180/110, 180/105, 180/100, 175/110, 175/105, 175/100, 170/110, 170/105, 170/100, 165/110, 165/105, 165/100, 160/110, 160/105, 160/100
Hypertensive Crisis
BPR range: 181/111 – 230/140
Also known as a hypertensive crisis, it is indicated by readings exceeding 110 diastolic pressure or 180 systolic pressure. Your chance of suffering a heart attack, stroke, and other potentially fatal conditions is at its highest within this range.
Headache, blurry vision, nausea, chest pain, mental confusion, and shortness of breath can all be extremely high blood pressure symptoms.
Using a blood pressure chart, you can determine whether your readings are healthy or whether you need to make some changes.
Specific blood pressure readings:
230/140, 230/135, 230/130, 230/125, 230/120, 230/115, 225/140, 225/135, 225/130, 225/125, 225/120, 225/115, 220/140, 220/135, 220/130, 220/125, 220/120, 220/115, 215/140, 215/135, 215/130, 215/125, 215/120, 215/115, 210/140, 210/135, 210/130, 210/125, 210/120, 210/115, 205/140, 205/135, 205/130, 205/125, 205/120, 205/115, 200/140, 200/135, 200/130, 200/125, 200/120, 200/115, 195/140, 195/135, 195/130, 195/125, 195/120, 195/115, 190/140, 190/135, 190/130, 190/125, 190/120, 190/115, 185/140, 185/135, 185/130, 185/125, 185/120, 185/115
All Readings (CLICK TO EXPAND)
Understanding blood pressure readings from the chart…
Locate your top (systolic) number on the left side of the chart and your bottom (diastolic) number at the bottom. Your blood pressure is where the two lines intersect.
For instance, when your systolic and diastolic pressure readings are in different categories, the higher category is your correct blood pressure reading.
Confused?
We have an article explaining blood pressure chart; you may read it for a better understanding.
Conclusion
So, what does your blood pressure reading mean? Mostly, it means that your heart is doing okay, and you don’t need to be overly concerned.
However, if your reading falls within a specific range or has any other health concerns, it’s worth getting checked out by a doctor so they can have an accurate idea of what needs to be done next.
While some things might stay the same (like medications), others may need to be adjusted as your health changes. Talk to your doctor about changes in your blood pressure readings and follow their advice accordingly.
