1.3 What do your Numbers Mean?
Blood pressures is the pressure in your blood vessels while blood circulates throughout your body. High blood pressure or
“Hypertension” is the pressure at which ones normal average blood pressure is considered too high and other health risks
including: heart attack, stroke, dementia, kidney failure, heart disease and erectile dysfunction may occur. It is expressed
as two numbers: systolic/diastolic 120 mmHg/ 80 mmHg (mmHg= millimeters of mercury). “Systolic” numbers refer to
the pressure on the walls of your arteries while the heart is contracting and pushing blood. “Diastolic” pressure is
the lower number when the heart is at rest and relaxed. A simple way to understand this is to picture a garden hose.
When the tap is turned on, the immediate pressure on the walls of the hose is the “systolic” value, and when the tap
is turned off it is the “diastolic” number.
There are many different causes of high blood pressure. We differentiate between common primary (essential)
hypertension, and secondary hypertension. The latter group can be ascribed to specific organic malfunctions. Please
consult your doctor for information about the possible origins of your own increased blood pressure values.
1.4 Normal Blood Pressure Values
Blood pressure is too high when measuring at home and you have rested, the diastolic pressure is above 85 mmHg or
the systolic blood pressure is over 135 mmHg. If you obtain readings in this range, consult your doctor immediately.
High blood pressure values over time can damage blood vessels, vital organs such as the kidney, and your heart.
With blood pressure values that are too low (i.e., systolic values under 105 mmHg or diastolic values under 60 mmHg),
consult with your doctor.
Systolic
Diastolic
Comment
Below 120
Less than
80
This range is considered “Normal” and ideal.
120 - 139
80 – 89
This range is considered “
Pre-hypertension
”: Discuss with your health
care professional. Lifestyle modifications maybe required to avoid
advancing into hypertension.
140 – 159
90 - 99
This is in the
Hypertension
range. Discuss with your health care
professional. Medication(s) and lifestyle modifications are typical
treatments.
160 and
higher
100 +
Discuss with your medical professional, medication(s) and lifestyle
modifications are necessary to control your hypertension.
Adopted From: Understanding and Managing your Blood Pressure; Hypertension Canada.
Note: A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional. A doctor should
evaluate any unusual blood pressure readings. Additionally, lower targets may be appropriate for some
populations such as African-Americans, the elderly, or patients with underlying issues such as diabetes
mellitus or chronic kidney disease.
Important for Canadians:
* Hypertension measured at home
≥
135/85
* Hypertension measured at a physician’s office
≥
140/90
* Hypertension measured at a physician’s office for a diabetic patient
≥
130/80
For further information, see our website www.biosmedical.com.
