The blood pressure reading consists of two different parameters, the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. The top number is the systolic blood pressure while the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats while diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries while the heart rests. Blood pressure is usually measured in mm Hg.


A normal systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg and a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or more is considered to be high. A normal diastolic blood pressure is lower than 80 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more is high. Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure monitor called sphygmomanometer and it can be checked at home.

Routine blood pressure check is very important. If your blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg(normal blood pressure), you need to check it at least every 2 years. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 - 139/89 mm Hg(prehypertension) get it checked at least every year or more. If your blood pressure reading is 140/90 mm Hg or higher(high blood pressure) see your doctor for proper medical advise.

Defining hypertension
Optimal blood pressure: systolic less than 120 mm Hg, diastolic less than 75 mm Hg.
Normal blood pressure: systolic 120 - 129 mm Hg, diastolic 75 - 84 mm Hg.
High normal blood pressure: systolic 130 - 139 mm Hg, diastolic 85 - 89 mm Hg.
Mild hypertension: systolic 140 - 159 mm Hg, diastolic 90 - 99 mm Hg.
Moderate hypertension: systolic 160 - 179 mm Hg, diastolic 100 - 109 mm Hg.
Severe hypertension: systolic 180 mm Hg or more, diastolic 110 mm Hg or more.
An online poll showed that most people who know their blood pressure reading have values between 90/60 - 139/89 mm Hg and this represent 62% of the respondents, 28% have values between 140/90 - 159/99 mm Hg, 6% have values between 160/100 - 179/109 mm Hg and 4% have values of 180/110 mm Hg or more.

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