High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" because it usually doesn't come with symptoms, and it can be dangerous if left untreated.
The only way to know your blood pressure and keep track of your heart health is through accurate readings and frequent measurements.
Here's what you need to know about your blood pressure reading and what it means for you.
Blood pressure readings
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the arteries in your body. It is measured by two numbers:
Systolic pressure (top number). The pressure exerted against your artery walls when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure (bottom number). The pressure exerted against your artery walls when your heart rests, in between beats.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). To determine whether someone has high blood pressure, known medically as hypertension, doctors classify blood pressure readings into different categories.
Sometimes, blood pressure can be lower than normal. Low blood pressure is considered:
Advertisement
Systolic: Lower than 90 mm Hg
Diastolic: Lower than 60 mm Hg
Low blood pressure isn't always cause for concern — in fact, it's often harmless, and can even indicate good health.
"If you're an athlete, an exerciser, or someone who does a lot of things to take care of their body, it can be normal to have a relatively low blood pressure," says Jordana Cohen, MD, a hypertension expert at Penn Medicine.
However, you should check in with your doctor when low blood pressure is accompanied by the following symptoms:
Lightheadedness upon standing
Dizziness
Quick, shallow breathing
Unusual thirst
Nausea
This may be a result of certain conditions or medications. Low blood pressure typically occurs with Parkinson's disease, hormonal changes, and pregnancy.
Elevated blood pressure
Elevated blood pressure is considered:
Advertisement
Systolic: 120 to 129 mm Hg
Diastolic: Lower than 80 mm Hg
This is the first warning sign for hypertension — and it's often called pre-hypertension. Your doctor will talk with you about implementing lifestyle changes that can effectively lower blood pressure, including:
Maintain a healthy weight
Get more exercise
Lower sodium intake
Eat a more balanced diet
Limit alcohol consumption
Quit smoking
Manage stress
Hypertension: Stage 1
Hypertension is considered:
Systolic: 130 to 139 mm Hg
Diastolic: 80 to 89 mm Hg
Medication is generally not considered necessary to treat hypertension at this level, and you should instead commit to making those healthier lifestyle choices to lower blood pressure, says Cohen.
If you have to focus your energy on one blood-pressure-reducing activity, Cohen recommends exercise, as it not only lowers blood pressure on its own, but it can also reduce stress, which is another cause of high blood pressure.
Hypertension: Stage 2
Hypertension becomes worse when it rises to:
Advertisement
Systolic: more than 140 mm Hg
Diastolic: more than 90 mm Hg
While intensive lifestyle modification to reduce high blood pressure is still necessary, Cohen says medication is also typically required to lower someone's stage 2 hypertension.
If left untreated, blood pressure this high can lead to the following health threats:
This can be very dangerous and require immediate medical attention, especially if it's combined with the following symptoms:
Shortness of breath
Headache
Nosebleed
Severe anxiety
Back pain
Numbness
Changes in vision
A hypertensive crisis can result in organ damage, and indicates a heightened risk for stroke, heart attack, and other life-threatening consequences. If you're experiencing blood pressure this high along with any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Advertisement
How often should you measure blood pressure?
If you have normal blood pressure, and your doctor thinks you're at a low risk for developing hypertension, you'll likely only get your blood pressure measured once a year, at a routine check-up.
However, if you're at risk or have hypertension, your doctor may recommend that you check blood pressure at home.
If you have a clinician-approved at-home blood pressure measuring kit, you should measure your blood pressure twice in the morning and twice in the evening, waiting a minute between readings, says Cohen.
Additionally, she says it's important to calmly wait five minutes before measuring your blood pressure, as it can affect the accuracy of your reading.
"If you're checking your blood pressure when you're exercising, moving around, or without taking that five minute break, then it's just not a useful blood pressure," Cohen says.
Advertisement
Cohen recommends using a blood pressure measuring device from an accredited source, such as Validate BP. Devices are independently reviewed by experts associated with the American Heart Association to see which ones provide the best, clinically accurate results.
NewsletterSIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Sign up for a weekly brief collating many news items into one untangled thought delivered straight to your mailbox.