What blood pressure is considered normal?

What blood pressure is considered normal?

• A. <120 systolic and <80 diastolic
• B. 120-129 / <80
• C. 130-139 / 80-89
• D. >140 / >90

Answer: (A)

Normal blood pressure means the systolic pressure is under 120 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is under 80 mm Hg. This threshold is used because keeping both numbers below these levels is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular events. If systolic pressure is 120–129 with a diastolic under 80, that’s elevated, not normal. If either number reaches 130–139 or 80–89, that’s stage 1 hypertension. If systolic is 140 or higher or diastolic is 90 or higher, that’s stage 2 hypertension. In practice, doctors confirm normal status by taking multiple readings on separate occasions, since a single measurement can vary with recent activity, caffeine, or stress.

Normal blood pressure means the systolic pressure is under 120 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is under 80 mm Hg. This threshold is used because keeping both numbers below these levels is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular events.

If systolic pressure is 120–129 with a diastolic under 80, that’s elevated, not normal. If either number reaches 130–139 or 80–89, that’s stage 1 hypertension. If systolic is 140 or higher or diastolic is 90 or higher, that’s stage 2 hypertension. In practice, doctors confirm normal status by taking multiple readings on separate occasions, since a single measurement can vary with recent activity, caffeine, or stress.