What type of results do you get and what do the results mean?
You’ll know your results right away. You’ll get two numbers:
- The top, first or systolic number is the pressure in your arteries during a heartbeat.
- The bottom, second or diastolic number is the pressure in your arteries when your heart’s resting to prepare for the next beat.
You may record these as the first and second numbers with a slash between them, like 120/80. Results are in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Blood pressure readings can be low, normal or high.
- Normal is 120/80 mmHg or lower.
- Elevated is 120 to 129/80 mmHg or lower.
- Stage 1 high blood pressure is 130 to 139 mmHg or 80 to 89 mmHg.
- Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher for either number.
- Hypertensive crisis is higher than 180 mmHg and/or higher than 120 mmHg.
Different age groups and illnesses (like recent stroke) might mean that your personal blood pressure goal is different from the typical adult levels. It’s important to work with your primary care doctor, cardiologist, nephrologist or whoever’s primarily managing your blood pressure to make sure you know your personal blood pressure goal.
If the results are abnormal, what are the next steps?
One high blood pressure reading doesn’t mean you have high blood pressure.
To diagnose you with high blood pressure, your provider will need two or more high readings from separate visits. And they’ll use a lot of data points over time.
If your provider confirms that you have high blood pressure, they can prescribe medicine for you. Many different types of medications can treat high blood pressure. Your provider will use your medical history to help choose one that works for you. Some people with high blood pressure need to take two or three different pills to manage their blood pressure.
In addition to or instead of taking medicine, you may need to make changes to your daily life, such as:
- Staying at a weight that’s healthy for you.
- Exercising for 150 minutes every week.
- Eating fewer than 1,500 mg of salt in a day.
- Eating lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and fewer saturated fats.
- Avoiding tobacco products.
- Drinking no more than one or two alcoholic drinks per day.
When should I call my doctor?
If you get a high reading, wait and check again. If you keep getting high readings, contact your provider. Call right away if your numbers are in the hypertensive crisis range.
Get immediate help if your numbers fall in the hypertensive crisis range and you’re having symptoms like:
If your blood pressure is too low, it’s also important to seek medical attention. Some symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- Fatigue.
- Dizziness.
- Lightheadedness.
- Syncope (fainting).
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Blood pressure measurement is a useful tool that can help your provider assess your health. Knowing how to take your blood pressure at home can give you the freedom to check it at your convenience. A blood pressure measurement can give you peace of mind if your results are good. It can also alert you to a possible need for treatment for high blood pressure, which has no symptoms. Don’t panic if you have one high reading. It takes more than that for a diagnosis.
FAQs
For the most reliable blood pressure measurement, the American Heart Association recommends using a monitor with a cuff that goes around your upper arm, when available. For people who can't check blood pressure at home, many pharmacies and stores have public blood pressure devices.
What is the most accurate way to take blood pressure? ›
For the most reliable blood pressure measurement, the American Heart Association recommends using a monitor with a cuff that goes around your upper arm, when available. For people who can't check blood pressure at home, many pharmacies and stores have public blood pressure devices.
How do you determine a patient's blood pressure? ›
Blood pressure measurements are obtained using a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer, also called a blood pressure cuff. To obtain a manual blood pressure reading, the blood pressure cuff is placed around a patient's extremity, and a stethoscope is placed over an artery.
How do you track blood pressure? ›
Best practices for home blood pressure monitoring include using an appropriately fitting upper-arm cuff on a bare arm, emptying the bladder, avoiding caffeinated beverages for 30 minutes before taking the measurement, resting for five minutes before taking the measurement, keeping the feet on the floor uncrossed and ...
Does it matter where your arm is when taking blood pressure? ›
Dependency of the arm below heart level leads to an overestimation of systolic and diastolic pressures and raising the arm above heart level leads to underestimation.
Is 150 90 A good blood pressure? ›
Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130 to 139 mmHg/80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.
Can drinking lots of water lower blood pressure? ›
Drinking water can help normalize blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, it can also help lower blood pressure. Drinking water is not a treatment for high blood pressure but it can help you sustain healthier blood pressure, whether you have hypertension or not.
What should I do if my BP is 140-90? ›
If you have a BP of 140/90, that is considered high blood pressure and you should discuss this with your doctor. The first thing that is usually recommended for people with high blood pressure to do is lifestyle changes such as: Maintaining a healthy weight. Consuming a healthy balanced diet low in salt.
What time of day should you not take your blood pressure? ›
Morning blood pressure readings should be taken when you first wake up, after using the bathroom, but before drinking coffee or taking medication. Afternoon blood pressure readings are not commonly recommended.
Can a tight blood pressure cuff cause a high reading? ›
Cuffs snugly wrapped, but too small for the subject, gave high BP readings, on the average by approximately 10 mm Hg. Loose wrapping of small cuffs gave variable results in individual subjects that exaggerated systolic BP from 2 to 80 mm Hg.
Place your feet flat on the floor and rest your arm on a tabletop even with your heart. Lean against the back of the chair. Stretch out your arm, palm upward. Place the cuff on your bare upper arm one inch above the bend of your elbow.
Can you hurt your arm taking blood pressure too often? ›
Too frequent and consecutive measurements could cause disturbances in blood circulation, injuries, and consequently also a painful sensation. Always wait at least 3 minutes between measurements. This allows your blood circulation to recover.
What is the blood pressure release trick? ›
How to lower your blood pressure immediately without medication
- A 60-second trick to lower blood pressure immediately is to take a deep breath and try to relax. ...
- Drink some water. ...
- Try some mild physical activity. ...
- Eat some dark chocolate. ...
- Take a cold shower. ...
- Get some sun. ...
- Drink beetroot and apple juice.
Intra-arterial measurement of BP is the most accurate method, capable of giving a continuous picture.
Which blood pressure is more accurate left or right arm Why? ›
Which arm should you measure blood pressure in? It's a good idea to have your blood pressure measured in both arms at least once, since the reading in one arm (usually the right) may be higher than that in the left. In general, the arm-to-arm difference in systolic blood pressure is 5 points or less.
Which BP reading is more accurate, first or second? ›
Solely relying on your first blood pressure reading may lead to an inaccurate diagnosis because it's usually higher than the second reading. Your doctor or nurse should take more than one reading and compare the results for better accuracy.
What is the ideal body position for taking the most accurate blood pressure? ›
With the cuff on your bare arm, sit in an upright position with back supported, feet flat on the floor and your arm supported at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is directly above the bend of the elbow. Relax for about five minutes before taking a measurement.
