Terms of Use; About. Contact Us; About WebMD; Careers; Newsletter; Corporate; WebMD Health Services; Site Map; Accessibility; WebMD Network. Medscape; Medscape Reference; MedicineNet; eMedicineHealth; RxList; OnHealth; BootsWebMD; WebMDRx; First Aid; WebMD Magazine; WebMD Health Record; Dictionary; Physician Directory; Our Apps. WebMD Mobile; WebMD App; Pregnancy; Baby; Allergy; Medscape; TheHeart
Once you have your average blood pressure, the next step is to see where the numbers fall. Generally, anything under 120/80 is considered a good blood pressure. Average numbers between 120/80 and 139/89 are considered prehypertension.. If the average of your numbers is more than 140/90, you have high blood pressure.
Your blood pressure numbers show how hard your blood is pushing against the sides of your blood vessels (arteries) as it travels round your body. When you have your blood pressure measured it is written like this: 120/80mmHg, which is said ' 120 over 80' . The first number is the systolic pressure, when your heart pushes blood around your body. The second is the diastolic pressure, when your heart relaxes. Blood pressure usually ranges between 90 to 250 for the top or maximum number (systolic) and 60 to 140 for the bottom or minimum number (diastolic). A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or less, but the lower you can get it, the better. To maintain a healthy level and reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease, check out our lifestyle tips. 140/90mmHg is the level used to diagnose high blood pressure for everyone, whatever your age.