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By Mayo Clinic staffYou can learn your blood pressure measurement as soon as your test is over. A blood pressure reading, given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), has two numbers. The first, or upper, number measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats (systolic pressure). The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure).
Here's a look at the four blood pressure categories and what they mean. If your readings fall into two different categories, your correct blood pressure category is the higher one.
| Top number (systolic) in mm Hg | Bottom number (diastolic) in mm Hg | Your category* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 90 | or | Below 60 | Low blood pressure** (hypotension) |
| Below 120 | and | Below 80 | Normal blood pressure |
| 120-139 | or | 80-89 | Prehypertension |
| 140-159 | or | 90-99 | Stage 1 hypertension |
| 160 or more | or | 100 or more | Stage 2 hypertension |
*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child's doctor if you think your child might have high blood pressure.
**What's considered low blood pressure can vary from person to person. The numbers given are a general guideline.
Prehypertension and stages 1 and 2 hypertension
If your blood pressure test shows that you have higher than normal blood pressure, your doctor will recommend that you make lifestyle changes to try to lower your blood pressure. These changes can include:
- Reduce the amount of salt in your diet. Limit the amount of salt in your diet to no more than 2,400 milligrams a day — or even less. Take the saltshaker off your table, and avoid eating processed foods such as canned soups or prepared frozen dinners.
- Eat healthy foods. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods. Eat less saturated fat and total fat.
- Quit smoking. You should also try to avoid secondhand smoke.
- Lose weight. If you're overweight, losing even 5 pounds can lower your blood pressure.
- Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure and keep your weight under control. Strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week.
- Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation — no more than one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men.
If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, or if you have stage 2 hypertension, your doctor may recommend medications to help lower your blood pressure. Your doctor will discuss which medication options might work best for you.
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure that either doesn't cause signs or symptoms, or causes only mild symptoms, such as brief episodes of dizziness when standing, rarely requires treatment. If you do have symptoms, the best treatment depends on the underlying cause.
- Blood pressure testing and measurement. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4470. Accessed Feb. 3, 2010.
- Screening for high blood pressure. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf07/hbp/hbprs.htm. Accessed Feb. 5, 2010.
- High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_All.html. Accessed Feb. 3, 2010.
- Chobanian AV, et al. Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension. 2003;42:1206.
- Low blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3034848. Accessed Feb. 3, 2010.
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