Possible Blood Pressure Range

A healthy blood pressure range does tend to differ according to various factors including age, stress levels and daily activity. Blood pressure also varies naturally throughout the day and is typically substantially higher during daylight hours of increased activity than it is during hours of sleep. In general however, a normal blood pressure reading will be around 120mmHg systolic and under 80 mmHg diastolic.

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The systolic reading refers to the greatest pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting, whereas the diastolic reading refers to the minimum pressure present in the arteries when the heart is relaxed. A blood pressure measurement is presented as a systolic reading over a diastolic reading. In the case of a normal blood pressure reading for example, the blood pressure measurement would read 120/80mmHg.

Blood Pressure Chart

               
Systolic             Diastolic
               
220mmHg              
               
210mmHg     Stage 4 Hypertension   120mmHg
               
200mmHg              
               
190mmHg     Stage 3 Hypertension    
               
180mmHg             110mmHg
               
170mmHg     Stage 2 Hypertension    
               
160mmHg             100mmHg
               
150mmHg     Stage 1 Hypertension    
               
140mmHg   Borderline High Blood Pressure   90mmHg
               
130mmHg             85mmHg
               
120mmHg     Optimal Blood Pressure       80mmHg
               
110mmHg              
               
100mmHg             65mmHg
               
90mmHg     Normal for under 18's and Athletes       60mmHg
               
80mmHg     Borderline Hypotension    
               
70mmHg     Low Blood Pressure    
               
60mmHg     Dizziness, Fainting and Nausea 40mmHg
               
50mmHg             30mmHg
               
40mmHg     Coma        
               
30mmHg              
               
20mmHg              
               
10mmHg              
               
0mmHg     Death       0mmHg

 

A low reading is generally viewed as being healthier than high one. When BP levels drop too low however, it can also be seriously detrimental to a person's health. A blood pressure reading under 90 mmHg systolic and 60 mmHg diastolic can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fainting, whilst anything under 50 systolic and 30 diastolic will result in a coma and can be life threatening if not immediately treated.

In the past, a blood pressure range of 120 to 139 systolic and 80 to 89 diastolic was classified as being high normal. Recently, medical experts amended this range, and these days this category is termed prehypertensive. Individuals whose blood pressure falls within the prehypertensive range are advised to immediately look into altering their daily habits so as to reduce their blood pressure as quickly as possible.

Blood pressure guidelines proposed by medical experts suggest that a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher over an extended period of time can pose a serious health threat. High blood pressure puts the arteries, heart and organs under serious strain. Research suggests that hypertension and may be the main cause of strokes, kidney failure and heart disease among other things.

High BP can be divided into four categories or ranges. An individual will be said to be suffering from stage one hypertension if their blood pressure falls between 140 and 159 systolic and 90 and 99 diastolic. Second stage hypertension is classified as 160 to 179 systolic and 100 to 109 diastolic. Stage three hypertension encompasses a systolic reading of 180 to 209 mmHg and a diastolic reading of 110 to 119 mmHg. Finally, the fourth stage of hypertension occurs when an individual's systolic blood pressure reading is 210 or higher, and their diastolic blood pressure reading is 120 or higher.

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