Lesson 2 - All About Blood Pressure

What is considered normal blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure is not an exact combination of systolic and diastolic pressure readings. Instead, it is a range. In general, a normal range for adults is considered 130/85 mm Hg or less. The table below illustrates the different blood pressure categories.

CATEGORIES FOR BLOOD PRESSURE LEVEL IN ADULTS*

Category	Systolic**	Diastolic**
Normal	< 130	< 85
High Normal	130-139	85-89
High Blood Pressure
Stage 1	140-159	90-99
Stage 2	160-179	100-109
Stage 3	180-209	110-119
Stage 4	>=210	>=120

Key: (< means less than, ³ means greater than or equal to)

*These categories for those 18 and older are from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. The categories are for those not on a high blood pressure drug and with no short-term serious illness.

**If your systolic and diastolic pressures fall into different categories, your overall status is the higher category.

Reprinted with permission by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Healt

It is very important to note that your blood pressure goes up and down all through the day. A variety of factors can cause your blood pressure to be temporarily high or low. If you had a strenuous workout earlier in the day, use an arm cuff that is too large, or are a heavy smoker who has gone for a while without a cigarette, the reading may come in lower than your true pressure. Likewise, a temporary high pressure can result from things such as a recent cigarette, nervousness or an arm cuff that is too small. One abnormal reading isn't sufficient to make a diagnosis regarding your cardiovascular health. For this reason, your physician may repeat the test a number of times, ask you to return to the office the following month, or perhaps request that you record your pressure at home if white-coat hypertension is su

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