Blood Pressure: Normal Values, a Table and When It Is Dangerous
Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The upper one, systolic, is the pressure in the blood vessels at the moment the heart pushes blood out; the lower one, diastolic, is the pressure while the heart relaxes. When someone says “140 over 90”, that means a systolic of 140 and a diastolic of 90 mmHg. Raised blood pressure causes no pain and no symptoms for years, so measuring is the only reliable way to find it. This article has a table of values, what the numbers people most often measure actually mean, how blood pressure is measured properly at home and when high or low blood pressure is a reason to call for emergency help.
Blood pressure table
| Category | Upper (systolic) | Lower (diastolic) |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | below 120 | and below 80 |
| Normal | 120 to 129 | and/or 80 to 84 |
| High normal | 130 to 139 | and/or 85 to 89 |
| Grade 1 hypertension | 140 to 159 | and/or 90 to 99 |
| Grade 2 hypertension | 160 to 179 | and/or 100 to 109 |
| Grade 3 hypertension | 180 and above | and/or 110 and above |
| Isolated systolic hypertension | 140 and above | and below 90 |
What the numbers you measured mean
- 120 over 80: normal blood pressure.
- 130 over 85: high normal; worth measuring more often and cutting salt and weight.
- 140 over 80: if it recurs, isolated systolic hypertension, common after the age of fifty.
- 140 over 90: if it recurs, grade 1 hypertension.
- 140 over 100 and 150 over 100: the lower number falls into grade 2, so the whole reading is classed as grade 2 hypertension.
- 160 over 100: grade 2 hypertension, calls for an appointment in the coming days.
- 180 over 110 and above: grade 3 hypertension; with the symptoms from the section on emergencies, call for emergency help.
- 100 over 60 or 90 over 60: low blood pressure, which in young and slim people without symptoms is most often normal.
How to measure blood pressure properly at home
- Five minutes of sitting quietly before measuring, back supported, feet on the floor, legs not crossed.
- The cuff on the bare upper arm, at the level of the heart, of the right size: a cuff that is too small gives a reading that is too high.
- No coffee, cigarettes or exertion for half an hour before measuring, bladder emptied.
- Two measurements one to two minutes apart; write both down.
- Measure on both arms the first time, and from then on measure on the arm with the higher value.
- Before an appointment, measure for several days in a row, morning and evening, and bring the written values with you.
Home values are as a rule lower than in the consulting room, so a home average of 135 over 85 or more already counts as raised.
The blood pressure Holter: when it is done
A blood pressure Holter measures the pressure automatically over 24 hours, every 15 to 30 minutes during the day and less often at night, while you go about your usual activities. It is done when the pressure is high only in the consulting room (the “white coat” effect), when home readings are inconsistent, when raised pressure at night is suspected and when checking whether treatment keeps the pressure within limits through the whole day. A 24-hour average of 130 over 80 or more, a daytime average of 135 over 85 or more and a night-time average of 120 over 70 or more all count as raised. In healthy people the pressure falls at night.
Low blood pressure
There is no single cut-off for low blood pressure, and the values most often mentioned are below 90 over 60. Without symptoms that is usually not a disease. A reason for an appointment is dizziness on standing, blurred vision, fainting, marked weakness, and a sudden drop in someone whose pressure used to be normal. Among the causes are dehydration, standing for a long time, medicines, anemia, pregnancy, heart disease and hormonal disorders.
When high blood pressure is an emergency
A pressure of 180 over 110 or higher with a severe headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing, disturbed vision or speech, weakness of one side of the body or confusion calls for emergency help (194). If such a high pressure comes with no accompanying symptoms, sit down, calm yourself, repeat the measurement after 15 to 30 minutes and see a doctor the same day or the next.
What an appointment at Miren Medic looks like
With raised blood pressure the appointment starts with a conversation about your home readings and risk factors, a blood pressure measurement and an ECG, and if needed an ultrasound of the heart, a blood pressure Holter and blood and urine tests follow. At the Miren Medic clinic appointments are held by the internist Dr Andreja Kovačević and the cardiologists Prof. Dr Radoslav Romanović, Dr Saša Ivanović and Dr Mila Živojinović. The blood pressure Holter and the ultrasound of the heart are done at the clinic, and the tests in the clinic laboratory. All of it without a referral.
Prices
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Holter TA (blood pressure) | 6.000 RSD |
| Holter ECG | 7.000 RSD |
| Internal medicine appointment (Dr Andreja Kovačević) | 6.000 RSD |
| Cardiology appointment (Dr Mila Živojinović) | 6.000 RSD |
| Cardiology appointment + ultrasound of the heart (Dr Saša Ivanović) | 14.000 RSD |
| Ultrasound of the heart | 8.000 RSD |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a normal blood pressure?
In adults the optimal pressure is below 120 over 80, and up to 129 over 84 counts as normal. Values of 130 to 139 upper or 85 to 89 lower are high normal, and from 140 over 90 we talk about raised blood pressure, if it recurs across several measurements.
Is 140 over 90 high blood pressure?
Yes, if it recurs. That is the threshold for grade 1 hypertension measured in the consulting room. One such reading is not a diagnosis, so the pressure is measured over several days at home or with a blood pressure Holter.
Which blood pressure is dangerously high?
A pressure of 180 over 110 and above falls into grade 3. With a headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing, disturbed vision or speech or weakness of one side of the body it is an emergency and you call for emergency help.
Which blood pressure is too low?
The value most often mentioned is below 90 over 60, but without symptoms low blood pressure is usually not a problem. An appointment is needed when it comes with dizziness, fainting, blurred vision or marked weakness.
Which arm is blood pressure measured on?
On both arms the first time, and from then on the arm with the higher pressure. A difference of more than 15 mmHg between the arms is worth telling your doctor about.
Is a blood pressure Holter uncomfortable?
The cuff inflates by itself from time to time and squeezes the arm for a few tens of seconds. It can be a nuisance when sleeping, but it is not painful. During a measurement keep your arm still and relaxed.
Book an appointment
If your blood pressure has been 140 over 90 or higher more than once, book an appointment with an internist or a cardiologist at the Miren Medic clinic. The examination, the blood pressure Holter and the tests come from one place, without a referral.
