Blood Pressure Category Checker
Blood pressure category for one adult reading on the American Heart Association chart. Systolic and diastolic are rated separately; the higher one counts. How it works
Use the Blood Pressure Category Checker
About the Blood Pressure Category Checker
A reading of 130/85 mmHg falls in stage 1 hypertension on the American Heart Association chart, because stage 1 is a systolic of 130 to 139 or a diastolic of 80 to 89. This blood pressure category checker rates the two numbers separately and reports the higher category, so 118/76 is in the band the chart calls normal and 120/80 is already stage 1 on its diastolic. One reading does not diagnose anything: the AHA says only a doctor or other medical professional can confirm a high blood pressure diagnosis.
Blood pressure categories for adults (American Heart Association chart)
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Joined by | Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | less than 120 | and | less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and | less than 80 |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 130 to 139 | or | 80 to 89 |
| Stage 2 hypertension | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Severe hypertension (if you don’t have symptoms, call your health care professional) | higher than 180 | and/or | higher than 120 |
| Hypertensive emergency (if you have any of these symptoms, call 911) | higher than 180 | and/or | higher than 120 |
The symptoms the chart means are chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking. The top two rows start at higher than 180 and higher than 120, so a systolic of exactly 180 or a diastolic of exactly 120 is in stage 2.
Example readings and the category each falls in
| Reading | Category shown | Systolic on its own | Diastolic on its own | Decided by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118/76 | Normal by this classification | Normal by this classification | Normal by this classification | Both |
| 120/80 | Stage 1 hypertension | Elevated | Stage 1 hypertension | Diastolic |
| 125/78 | Elevated | Elevated | Normal by this classification | Systolic |
| 128/84 | Stage 1 hypertension | Elevated | Stage 1 hypertension | Diastolic |
| 135/85 | Stage 1 hypertension | Stage 1 hypertension | Stage 1 hypertension | Both |
| 140/80 | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 1 hypertension | Systolic |
| 138/92 | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 1 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Diastolic |
| 160/100 | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Both |
| 180/110 | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Both |
| 170/120 | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Stage 2 hypertension | Both |
| 181/110 | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Stage 2 hypertension | Systolic |
| 170/121 | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Stage 2 hypertension | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Diastolic |
| 190/125 | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Higher than 180 and/or 120 | Both |
Labels as the checker prints them. For the last three readings the page also shows the AHA’s steps, which begin with calling 911 if there are symptoms.
Methodology
Systolic bands: below 120 normal, 120 to 129 elevated, 130 to 139 stage 1, 140 or higher stage 2, higher than 180 the top band. Diastolic bands: below 80 normal, 80 to 89 stage 1, 90 or higher stage 2, higher than 120 the top band; there is no elevated band for diastolic. Each number is placed on its own, the higher of the two categories is reported, and the page names the number that decided it. Systolic values from 50 to 300 and diastolic values from 30 to 200 are accepted, and the diastolic has to be lower than the systolic.
How to use this tool
- Take the reading the way the American Heart Association describes: no smoking, caffeinated drinks or exercise in the 30 minutes before, an empty bladder, and at least five minutes of quiet rest without talking.
- Sit with your arm supported on a flat surface at heart level and the cuff on bare skin, its bottom edge just above the bend of the elbow. The AHA recommends a validated automatic upper-arm cuff in the right size for your arm; wrist and finger monitors give less reliable readings.
- Take two readings one minute apart, at the same time each day, and write both down.
- Type the systolic and diastolic numbers of a reading to see its category on the AHA chart.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 120/80 normal blood pressure?
- Not on the AHA chart, where normal is a systolic below 120 and a diastolic below 80. A systolic of 120 is in the elevated band and a diastolic of 80 is in stage 1, so the checker reports 120/80 as stage 1 hypertension, decided by the diastolic number. A single reading is not a diagnosis.
- What if only one of my blood pressure numbers is high?
- The higher category applies. 125/78 is elevated on its systolic, 128/84 is stage 1 on its diastolic, 140/80 is stage 2 on its systolic and 138/92 is stage 2 on its diastolic. The result line names the number that decided it.
- What should I do if my blood pressure is higher than 180/120?
- The American Heart Association’s steps, in the order the page shows them: if you have symptoms that may include chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, call 911. That is a medical emergency, so do not wait to see whether the pressure comes down on its own. If you have none of those symptoms, wait at least 1 minute and take your blood pressure again. If the second reading is just as high, contact your health care professional as soon as possible. These steps are for adults who are not pregnant.
- Is exactly 180/120 severe hypertension?
- Not by the chart’s wording. Its top two rows start at higher than 180 and higher than 120, so the checker puts a systolic of exactly 180 or a diastolic of exactly 120 in stage 2. 180/110 and 170/120 are stage 2, while 181/110 and 170/121 are in the top band.
- What can lower blood pressure?
- The American Heart Association lists these changes: eat a well-balanced diet, limit or avoid alcohol, get regular physical activity, manage stress, reach and keep a healthy weight, do not smoke, and take any blood pressure medicines as prescribed, working with your healthcare professional. It says a heart-healthy lifestyle can reduce blood pressure and improve how well the medicines work. The checker does not tailor advice to a reading, and the AHA says not to stop a medicine because of home readings without checking with your healthcare professional.
- Does it check for low blood pressure?
- No. It classifies high blood pressure only, so a low reading lands in the normal band of the chart with no comment on whether it is too low. The AHA notes that a doctor or other medical professional can check if your blood pressure is too low.
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