Blood pressure categories
- Normal: below 120 / below 80
- Elevated: 120–129 / below 80
- High (stage 1): 130–139 / 80–89
- High (stage 2): 140+ / 90+
- Crisis: above 180 / above 120 — seek urgent care if you have symptoms
What the two numbers mean
The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Both matter — a high reading in either can put you in a higher category.
How to get an accurate reading
Sit quietly for five minutes, feet flat, arm supported at heart height, and avoid caffeine or exercise first. Take two or three readings a minute apart and use the average. One high reading isn’t a diagnosis.