President Fords historic trip and fall down the steps of Air Force One. 1  People & Blogs. 2  Standard YouTube License.
The bottom number, called the diastolic pressure, is the measurement as the heart relaxes between beats. Normal blood pressure is a systolic pressure of less than 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg, or 120/80 mm Hg, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Having a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg is considered high blood pressure or hypertension. A blood pressure level between normal and hypertension, is called prehypertension, meaning it is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered hypertension.
To assess for high blood pressure, you should have two or more blood pressure readings taken while sitting on different occasions. A normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 while sitting. The following are categories of high blood pressure: Pre High Blood Pressure: Readings of 120-139 over 80-89. Stage 1 High Blood Pressure: Readings of 140-159 over 90-99. Stage 2 High Blood Pressure: Readings of 160 or higher over 100 or higher.