Just what do the numbers of your blood pressure mean?

Systolic and Diastolic readings are important

diastolic pressure has traditionally been emphasized because it is less subject to fluctuations. However, recent studies have revealed that systolic pressure may be as significant a heart attack predictor as diastolic pressure.

Normal blood pressure is thus usually said to be 120/80 (systolic/diastolic) or less, measured in millimeters of mercury (abbreviated as mm Hg). What do blood pressure numbers indicate? The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating. The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. The systolic pressure is always stated first and the diastolic pressure second. For example: 122/76 (122 over 76); systolic = 122, diastolic = 76. Blood pressure of less than 140 over 90 is considered a normal reading for adults. A systolic pressure of 130 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 85 to 89 needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading equal to or greater than 140 (systolic) over 90 (diastolic) is considered elevated (high).

Optimal <120 <80

Normal <130 <85

High Normal 130-139 85-89

Hypertension

Stage 1 140-159 90-99

Hypertension

Stage 2 160-179 100-109

Hypertension

Stage 3 >179 >109

First of all, what are your numbers? In general, 110-120 over 70-80 is pretty normal. You are having the pressure, in your heart, measured. The top number represents the systolic pressure or the force exerted by your blood flow on your heart when its squeezing the most and the bottom number or diastolic pressure is representative of the same pressure when your heart is relaxed.

normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm hg. 120 is systolic (contraction of hert) and 80 is diastolic(expansion of heart) if diastolic pressure is more than 80 it is hypertension less than 80 is hypotension