What Do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean

Here s a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean for you.

What do blood pressure numbers mean. Blood pressure is reported using two numbers and many people don t completely understand what these numbers mean. If your systolic and diastolic readings fall into two different categories your correct blood pressure category is the higher category. Systolic less than 120 mm hg. Numbers higher than 120 80 mm hg are a red flag that you need to take on heart healthy habits.

The first reflects systolic blood pressure the amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts. What does the diastolic blood pressure number mean. For example if your blood pressure reading is 125 85 millimeters of mercury mm hg you have stage 1 hypertension. The diastolic reading or the bottom number is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

When your systolic pressure is between 120 and 129 mm hg and your diastolic pressure is less than 80. Systolic is between 120 and 129 mm hg. Diastolic less than 80 elevated bp. Blood pressure bp is classified as follows by the american heart association.

The higher number that comes first is called systolic pressure.