Blood Pressure Chart: Normal, Elevated, High & Crisis Ranges
Every blood pressure reading falls into one of five general ranges, from Normal to Hypertensive Crisis. Here's what each range means under the AHA guideline, and why the same numbers can be staged differently depending on which guideline your doctor uses.
The 5 ranges at a glance
Normal — below 120/80 mmHg
Both systolic (under 120) and diastolic (under 80) fall in the healthy range. Keep an eye on trends, not just single readings.
Elevated — 120–129 systolic, under 80 diastolic
Systolic starts trending up while diastolic stays normal. Often the point where lifestyle changes make the biggest difference.
High (Stage 1 & 2) — 130+/80+ or 140+/90+
Stage 1 starts at 130/80, Stage 2 at 140/90. This is where a doctor usually starts discussing treatment, including medication.
Hypertensive Crisis — above 180/120
A reading this high needs immediate medical attention, especially alongside symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or vision changes. Call emergency services.
Blood Pressure Chart: Normal, Elevated, High & Crisis Ranges — FAQ
Do all blood pressure charts use the same ranges?
No. The chart above follows the AHA guideline, but ESC, JNC8, WHO, and NICE define the boundaries slightly differently — which is why the same reading can be staged differently depending on which one your doctor uses.
Can I see which stage my reading falls into automatically?
Yes. CardiLog classifies every reading against your chosen guideline (AHA, ESC, JNC8, WHO, or NICE) the moment you log it, with a color-coded stage badge in your history.
Is one high reading enough to be diagnosed with hypertension?
Generally no — diagnosis is usually based on an average of multiple readings over time, not a single number. CardiLog isn't a medical device; talk to your doctor about what your trend means.
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