How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
To diagnose high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, you need to have your blood pressure checked in a health care setting.
How taking blood pressure works:
- A reading is taken with a blood pressure cuff.
- The cuff is placed around the upper arm before being inflated.
- The inflated cuff squeezes the brachial artery and stops blood flow for a moment.
- Air in the cuff is slowly released. If a manual device is being used, the person taking blood pressure listens with a stethoscope. If it’s an automated device, a digital display shows the blood pressure.
Watch an animation of a manual blood pressure test. You can hear what a health care professional hears as the blood moves through the brachial artery.
Your blood pressure reading is recorded as two numbers:
- Systolic blood pressure (upper number) shows how much pressure your blood is pushing against your artery walls when the heart beats.
- Diastolic blood pressure (lower number) shows how much pressure your blood is pushing against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
| BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY | SYSTOLIC mm Hg (upper number) | and/or | DIASTOLIC mm Hg (lower number) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMAL | LESS THAN 120 | and | LESS THAN 80 |
| ELEVATED | 120 – 129 | and | LESS THAN 80 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1 | 130 – 139 | or | 80 – 89 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2 | 140 OR HIGHER | or | 90 OR HIGHER |
| HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (consult your doctor immediately) | HIGHER THAN 180 | and/or | HIGHER THAN 120 |
Know Your Numbers
Is your blood pressure in a healthy range? The best way to know is to get it checked.
Then, enter your numbers into this calculator to see which blood pressure category you are in.
Systolic Pressure
Diastolic Pressure
Normal Blood Pressure
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Elevated Blood Pressure
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You have elevated blood pressure. Unless steps are taken to control it, elevated blood pressure can turn into high blood pressure.
Work with your health care team to get your blood pressure in the normal range. Lifestyle changes can help.
High Blood Pressure Stage 1
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High Blood Pressure Stage 2
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Hypertensive Crisis
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You may be in hypertensive crisis.
- Wait five minutes.
- Take your blood pressure again.
If your readings are still high, call your health care professional right away.
Call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 and you are having chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.
AHA recommendation
If you are 20 or older and your blood pressure is normal (less than 120/80 mm Hg), you should have your blood pressure checked once a year during regular health care visits.
If you're diagnosed with high blood pressure
Your health care professional may recommend:
- Monitoring your blood pressure at home in addition to your regular health care visits.
- A treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes and, if needed, prescription medication.
Get the high blood pressure fact sheet: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
