Normal Blood Pressure Readings

What are normal blood pressure readings and normal blood pressure range?

When you go for your regular check-ups,you always hear about normal range blood pressure without really understanding it. We are not even likely to take the time to understand it just as long as we hear that our results fall into the normal blood pressure readings.

Well, you simply must take the time and pour the effort to understand how the concept works because many things hinge on it.For one thing, you have to adopt changes to your present lifestyle if your blood pressure shoots up (hypertension) or dives down (hypotension). For another thing, you can take your blood pressure readings at home, thus, necessitating the need to interpret the figures on the blood pressure reading chart and to take appropriate action, if necessary.

Average Readings

It must be emphasized that for a blood pressure reading to be considered normal, the process must be performed at least two times, with four as the maximum, while seated and relaxed. The average of all the readings will then be computed, the results of which represent the final reading.

This is because your blood pressure readings may change from one hour to the next depending on your physical condition and mental state. Thus, 5-10 minutes between blood pressure readings is recommended. You need not worry about actually pumping the manual sphygmomanometer one too many times as digital blood pressure monitors that automatically inflate and deflate are also available.

Categories of Readings

There are four categories in the blood pressure reading chart, which you can look into to determine whether you fall into the category of normal blood pressure level or not. Take note, too, that you can do something about a reading even if you find yourself on the very high or the very low end. This is exactly why you need to have your blood pressure taken regularly - because you can do something about your condition, whatever it may be. Also, blood pressure readings are expressed in mmHG, with the top number as the systolic reading and the bottom number as the diastolic reading.

First, you have normal blood pressure if your systolic reading is below 120 and your diastolic reading is below 80. You are living a healthy lifestyle so keep at it to maintain your normal blood pressure reading. Second, if the systolic reading is at 120-139 and the diastolic reading is at 80-89, then you have pre-hypertension. In this case, you must maintain your healthy lifestyle or adopt a healthier one.

A systolic reading of 140-159 and a diastolic reading of 90-99 means that Stage 1 hypertension have just entered your life. You must adopt a healthier lifestyle for 6 months. If normal blood pressure is not achieved at the end of this period, you have to consult with your doctor for medications.Lastly,a systolic readings of 160 or more and diastolic readings of 100 or more are a sign of Stage 2 hypertension. Again, you have to adopt a healthy lifestyle and seek medical opinion.

The goal of achieving normal blood pressure readings is very important as hypertension can result in complications like arterial damage, aneurysm and heart failure. Basically, normal blood pressure readings are possible when you take good care of your health - eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, get sufficient sleep, control diseases like diabetes, and manage stress.

Return to blood pressure chart page from normal blood pressure readings