Understanding What Your Blood Pressure Readings Mean

The normal range of blood pressure measurement is systolic pressure of 120 degrees and diastolic pressure of 80 degrees. Here you need to know that systolic pressure is the pressure exerted by your against your artery walls when the heart beats. Diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted on arteries when the heart is resting between beats.

Categories of blood pressure

Normal

The BP is mentioned above and in this range, the blood pressure is 120/80 degrees.

Elevated

If the blood pressure reading is 120–129 systolic and 80 diastolic then the blood pressure is elevated and at this juncture you should make sure that it does not increase beyond this level. If it does then you will be considered a patient of hypertension.

Hypertension stage 1

If your blood pressure readings are consistently in the range of systolic 130–139 and diastolic more than 80 then it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor. You will most likely be advised to adopt lifestyle changes and take some light medication.

Hypertension stage 2

This is when the blood pressure readings are consistently ranging 140/90 or higher. Here you will have to start medication over and above the dietary and lifestyle changes.

Hypertensive crisis

If the blood pressure is suddenly shooting up to 180/120, you should double-check the readings within 5 minutes and if you get the same readings then you should immediately consult a doctor for emergency treatment. If the blood pressure measurement does not come down then you may have to be hospitalized.

If you are also experiencing signs of damage to the heart like chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness change in vision or difficulty speaking then you should go to a hospital for immediate treatment, because this is a sign of a heart attack.