Know Your Numbers

Blood pressure is the force that your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body.

It is measured using two numbers:

• Systolic (top number): The pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out.
• Diastolic (bottom number): The pressure when your heart rests between beats.

A reading of 120/80 mmHg is often cited as a healthy target.

Blood pressure is classified into five categories:

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg
• Elevated: 120–129 / less than 80 mmHg
• High Blood Pressure Stage 1: 130–139 / 80–89 mmHg
• High Blood Pressure Stage 2: 140 or higher / 90 or higher mmHg
• Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180/120 mmHg — seek immediate care

Regular monitoring helps you and your doctor detect changes early and take action.