Checking Your Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by your blood against the walls of your arteries as it's pumped by your heart. It's measured in two numbers: systolic and diastolic, representing your blood pressure during and between heartbeats. The numbers are presented either one over the other, like a fraction, or side-by-side with a dash between them. Your provider may also say your systolic number over your diastolic number, like “120 over 80.” Regardless of how your blood pressure is presented or said, your systolic number is always first, and your diastolic number is always second.

Systolic Pressure. This is always the upper number or first number in your blood pressure reading (120 in the examples above). It represents the force of blood against the artery walls when your heart beats and pumps blood out. 

Diastolic Pressure. This is the lower number or second number in your reading (80 in the examples), representing the force of blood against the artery walls when your heart is at rest between beats. 

A normal blood pressure reading is typically considered to be 120/80 or lower. 

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. It's a common condition that can lead to serious health problems if it isn’t managed correctly.

Many factors, including family history, your age, and diabetes, can cause high blood pressure. Your lifestyle — smoking, being overweight, poor diet (especially a diet high in salt), and lack of exercise — can also contribute to hypertension.

Hypertension can be expressed in either your upper or lower number (or both!). Use the chart below to familiarize yourself with high blood pressure readings for both.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, but very high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) can cause symptoms like severe headaches, chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and anxiety. 

Don’t ignore your symptoms. If you suspect — or know — you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor right away. Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and other health problems.

Managing high blood pressure

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range:

Lifestyle Changes. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and sodium intake, and quitting smoking, can help manage high blood pressure. 

Medication. In some cases, medication may be necessary to control blood pressure. 

Regular Checks. It's important to either check your blood pressure yourself or have it checked regularly, especially if you have risk factors for high blood pressure. 

Low blood pressure

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is a condition where blood pressure is lower than normal. Generally, this is considered to be a reading of 90/60 or lower.

While low blood pressure isn't always a cause for concern, it can sometimes lead to symptoms like confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting. These symptoms can be dangerous if they occur during other activities, like driving. Consistently low blood pressure can also indicate an underlying health issue, so it is important to talk to your doctor if you suspect your blood pressure is low.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

Low blood pressure can happen with:

• Prolonged bed rest

• Dehydration

• Certain medications, like diuretics, beta blockers, and tricyclic antidepressants

• Heart problems

• Endocrine problems, like underactive thyroid, Addison’s disease, and diabetes

• Blood disorders, such as anemia

Checking at home

Whether your blood pressure is too high or too low, it’s important to monitor it regularly. Purchase a blood pressure monitoring cuff (available from many retailers), and use the tools and resources available on The American Heart Association’s website to track your blood pressure.

Select a monitor. The AHA recommends an automatic, cuff-style bicep monitor that has been validated. You can read more about their recommendations here.

Choose a time. Check your blood pressure at the same time every day.

Relax. Be calm, and do not drink caffeine, smoke, chew tobacco, or drink alcohol before checking your blood pressure.

Double-check. Take several readings and record them. Bring your cuff into your healthcare provider’s office periodically and compare your readings with theirs.

Check correctly. Sit with your back straight and feet flat on the floor. Keep your legs uncrossed. Support your arm on a table or surface at the level of your heart. Place the cuff on your bare skin above the bend in your elbow. Be very still during your test.

High blood pressure is a serious condition that requires proper management to prevent long-term complications. Regular blood pressure checks, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, medication can help control blood pressure and protect your overall health.