Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of arteries and veins as it travels inside the body within the circulatory system. Blood pressure measurement, counted in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), consists of two different readings. The systolic reading corresponds to the pressure value when the heart is contracting; the diastolic is between two heart contractions. The value of the systolic pressure is always greater than the value of the diastolic.

A couple of years ago normal blood pressure range was considered to be between 90/60 and 130/85. However, recent studies have shown that any blood pressure measurement above 120/80 is an indication of prehypertension, a clear sign of cardiovascular health problems. Therefore, by today’s standards, the normal blood pressure range has 90/60 as the lower limit and 119/79 as the upper bound.

Lower values

A blood pressure measurement reading considerable lower than 90/60, let’s say 60/40, is a considered to be hypotension. Relative to the normal blood pressure range, a value of 50/33 shows that the person is in danger of permanent organ damage as the heart cannot distribute enough oxygen and nutrients. Extremely low blood pressure can cause coma and eventually death. It should be noted however, that young children and athletes usually have measurement readings at the lower end of the normal blood pressure range.

Higher values

A constant reading between 120/80 and 140/90 does not mean one suffers from hypertension, they are in the preceding phase and without lifestyle amendments and without proper medication chronic hypertension will likely develop. Considering the 120/80 upper limit of the normal blood pressure range, values that are constantly higher should be a matter of concern. Regular exercise, healthy diet with little sugar, salt or saturated fats, less alcohol and nicotine will help with maintaining a normal blood pressure level.

Blood pressure readings between 140/90 and 160/100 are characteristic to what is considered to be stage one hypotension. The first step to take is to decide on what has to change in your life for a healthier living and if it is not enough to get your systolic/diastolic measurement in the normal blood pressure range, than you should ask your doctor to prescribe adequate medication.

If the blood pressure is higher than 160/100 you should immediately consult a doctor and receive correct medication to prevent further complications such as chronic cardiovascular conditions, aneurysm, strokes and renal failure. The severe hypertension specific denoted by such high values may cause blood vessels in vital organs to burst open leading to temporary or fatal damage. Each day, thousands of people die because of very high blood pressure. 

Regular Testing

Everyone’s blood pressure varies radically from one moment to the other, depending on the emotional state and on the physical effort. Therefore several tests need to be performed regularly to diagnose hypertension or hypotension.

Only through regular testing you can determine if your blood pressure is within the normal blood pressure range. Most healthcare providers offers such test, otherwise it might be a good idea to buy a home monitor to measure your blood pressure, to determine if it is not too low or too high.