N
ormal blood pressure Blood pressure (BP) is the force that moving blood puts on the artery walls. As the heart pumps out blood, pressure on the arteries is at its highest. This peak pressure is the systolic pressure.
peak pressure (systolic)
Between heartbeats, the arteries are more relaxed, but they stay tense enough for smooth blood flow to all parts of the body. This tension is the diastolic pressure.
diastolic pressure
Stages of BP for adults 18 years and older:
Normal*
Systolic
Diastolic
My present BP range is
My target BP range is
(top number)
(bottom number)
(check one)
(check one)
less than120
and
less than 80
Pre Hypertension
120–139
or
80–89
Stage 1 Hypertension
140–159
or
90–99
Stage 2 Hypertension
160 or more
or
100 or more
* Very low blood pressure readings should be checked by your doctor.
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