Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the higher number) measures the force in your arteries when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure (the lower number) measures the force when your heart rests between beats. A reading of 120/80 mmHg means a systolic of 120 and diastolic of 80. The American Heart Association 2017 guidelines redefined hypertension, lowering the threshold from 140/90 to 130/80 mmHg to enable earlier intervention. High blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer" because it often has no symptoms yet dramatically increases risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Regular monitoring is one of the most important things you can do for your cardiovascular health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal blood pressure?
According to AHA 2017 guidelines, normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. Elevated BP is 120–129 systolic with less than 80 diastolic. Stage 1 hypertension is 130–139/80–89 mmHg, and Stage 2 is 140/90 or higher.
When should I check my blood pressure?
Check at the same time each day, ideally in the morning after 5 minutes of rest, before taking medications. Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for 30 minutes before measuring. Take 2–3 readings and record the average.
What causes high blood pressure?
Most hypertension is "essential" (no single identifiable cause). Risk factors include age, genetics, obesity, high sodium diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol, stress, and chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease.
Can blood pressure be lowered without medication?
Yes — for Stage 1 hypertension, the DASH diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy), reducing sodium to under 1,500 mg/day, regular aerobic exercise, weight loss, and limiting alcohol can lower systolic BP by 4–11 mmHg.