1 in 3 people have high blood pressure. But few people understand how blood pressure is measured, or what those measurements mean. Take ownership of your health by learning the basics.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls. It's measured in two ways:

What is blood pressure?

Pressure during heartbeatsSystolic (First or top number)

Pressure between heartbeatsDiastolic (Second or bottom number)

What do the numbers mean?

Normal Below 120 Below 80

Elevated 120 to 129 Below 80

High Above 130 Above 80

Blood Pressure Category Systolic Diastolic

(called prehypertension)

(called hypertension)

and

and

or

*Recommendations courtesy of American Heart Association: heart.org/bloodpressure

Blood pressure by the numbers

© 2018 Sharp HealthCare. All rights reserved.sharp.com/news

“Hypertension is a silent, invisible killer, contributing to more deaths per year than strokes, opioid overdoses and gun violence combined. Ask to see your cardiologist to make sure you and your family members have controlled blood pressure.”

— Dr. James Kim, a cardiologist affiliated with Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

From the expert

High blood pressure can lead to:

Why it matters

8 ways to manage a healthy blood pressure

Eat a low-salt diet

Limit alcohol Enjoy regular physical activity

Managestress

Maintain ahealthy weight

Take your medications

properly

Work together with your doctor

Quitsmoking

Heart attack

Stroke Heart failure

Kidney disease or failure

Vision loss

Sexual dysfunction