Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the amount of pressure the blood presses on the arterial wall.

Understanding blood pressure readings
  • Systolic (upper number): heart contracting
  • Diastolic (lower number): heart relaxing
Blood pressure ranges
  • Normal: less than 120/less than 80
  • Elevated: 120-129/less than 80
  • High blood pressure stage 1: 130-139 or 80-89
  • High blood pressure stage 2: 140 of higher or 90 or higher
  1. Measure Your Blood Pressure. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm. Published November 30, 2020. Accessed January 24, 2021.
  2. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings. Accessed January 19, 2021.