5
ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
SYSTOLIC PRESSURE AND DIASTOLIC PRESSURE
ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
When ventricles contract and pump blood out of
the heart, the blood pressure reaches its maximum
value in the cycle,
systolic pressure
.
When the ventricles relax, the blood pressure
reaches its minimum value in the cycle, which is
called
diastolic pressure
.
Measuring your own blood pressure is an important way of monitoring your health. High
blood pressure (hypertension) is a major health problem that can be treated effectively once
detected. Regularly measuring your own blood pressure between doctor visits and keeping
accurate records, helps monitor any significant changes in blood pressure.
CAUTION
Please contact your physician if your measurement results are outside the normal range. Only a
physician can tell you whether your blood pressure value has reached a dangerous level.
This chart is the standard blood pressure classification published by American Heart
Association (AHA).
AHA Home Guideline for upper limit of normal blood pressure:
SYS
135 mm Hg
DIA
85 mm Hg
STANDARD BLOOD PRESSURE CLASSIFICATION
Blood Pressure
Category
Systolic
mm Hg (upper #)
Diastolic
mm Hg (lower #)
N
ormal
less than 120
and
less than 80
Pr-hypertensive
120-139
or
80-89
High Blood Pressure
(Hypertension) Stage 1
140-159
or
90-99
High Blood Pressure
(Hypertension) Stage 2
160 or higher
or
100 or higher
Hypertensive Crisis
(Emergency Care Needed)
Higher than 180
or
Higher than 110
