2.2. Which values are normal?
Blood pressure is too high if your diastolic pressure is above 90 mmHg and/or your
systolic blood pressure is over 160 mmHg,
while at rest
. In this case, please con-
sult your physician immediately. Long-term values at this level endanger your health
due to continual damage to the blood vessels in you body.
If your systolic blood pressure values are between 140 mmHg and 160mmHg and/or
the diastolic blood pressure values between 90 mmHg and 95mmHg, consult your
physician. Regular self-checks are necessary.
If you have blood pressure values that are too low, (i.e., systolic values under
105mmHg and/or diastolic values under 60 mmHg), consult your physician.
Even with normal blood pressure values, a regular self-check with your blood pres-
sure monitor is recommended. You can detect possible changes in your values early
and react appropriately.
If you are undergoing medical treatment to control your blood pressure, keep a
record of values along with time of day and date. Show these values to your physi-
cian.
Never use the results of your measurements to independently alter the
drug doses prescribed by your physician.
Which values are normal?
The following standards for assessing high blood pressure (without regard to age)
have been established by the U.S. National Institutes of Health JNC7, 2003.
3
Category
Systolic
Diastolic
(mmHg)
(mmHg)
Normal
<120
<80
Self-Check
Pre-Hypertension
120 - 139
80 - 89
Stage 1
140 - 159
90 - 99
Hypertension
Stage 2
>160
>100
Hypertension
