What Does The Top Number In Blood Pressure Mean
Younger people can have this type of high blood pressure too.
What does the top number in blood pressure mean. In a blood pressure reading the systolic number always comes first and then the diastolic number. What is normal range answered by dr. If your blood pressure reading shows a top number of 140 or more or a bottom number of 90 or more it s considered stage 2. A healthy blood pressure is 120 80 or less but the lower you can get it the better.
Blood pressure measurements are given as a top and bottom number. The first reflects systolic blood pressure the amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts. A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury mm hg for the top number systolic or 60 mm hg for the bottom number diastolic is generally considered low blood pressure. Researchers say the top and bottom number are important in blood pressure readings.
Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of high blood pressure in people older than age 65. Blood pressure usually ranges between 90 to 250 for the top or maximum number systolic and 60 to 140 for the bottom or minimum number diastolic. According to the national heart lung and blood institute nhlbi the diastolic reading is an important hypertension number especially for younger people the higher the diastolic blood pressure the greater the risk for heart attacks strokes and kidney failure reports nhlbi. For example your numbers may be 120 over 80 or written as 120 80.
Stage 2 high blood pressure indicates an even more serious condition. The causes of low blood pressure can range from dehydration to serious medical disorders. The second is the diastolic pressure when your heart relaxes. Isolated systolic hypertension happens when your diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 millimeters of mercury mm hg and your systolic blood pressure is 130 mm hg or higher.
Both the systolic and diastolic are indicators when it comes to the risk of heart attack and stroke. What does it mean to have a lil high top number and a lil low bottom number in blood pressure.