What is a normal blood pressure?

Answer 1

Everyone that is living has a blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measurement of the amount of force in arteries when the heart is pumping blood through the body. Blood pressure is determined by not only the amount of blood being pumped, but the force of the blood as it is pumped.

Blood pressure levels are continuously changing depending on your level of activity, amount of stress you are experiencing, medications you are taking, diet and physical fitness. Physical fitness includes your weight and whether or not you are well or ill.

Normal Blood Pressure Ranges

In an adult a normal blood pressure should be no higher than 120/80. The first number, or top number, is called the systolic pressure. Systolic pressure indicates the amount of pressure exerted with contractions of the heart. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of Mercury or mmHg.

Blood Pressure Ranges

Someone is considered to have prehypertension when their systolic pressure is between 120 and 139 and the diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89.

Stage 1 hypertension or mild hypertension occurs when the systolic pressure is constantly between 140 and 159 and the diastolic pressure reading is 90 to 99.

Stage 2 hypertension or moderate to severe hypertension is when a person has a systolic pressure over 160 and a diastolic pressure over 100.

There are many different reasons that someone can experience high blood pressure or hypertension. It is important to understand that one elevated blood pressure reading does not mean someone has hypertension. In order to be diagnosed with hypertension someone has to have repeatedly elevated blood pressure readings.

How Often Should Your Blood Pressure Be Checked?

In adults with normal blood pressure readings it is advisable to have a blood pressure check at least once every 2 years. For adults with slightly increased blood pressures it's encouraged to have blood pressure checks at least once per year. Those individuals with moderate to severe hypertension should have blood pressure checks as advised by their personal physician.

Having your blood pressure checked at least as often as every 2 years is important. Hypertension can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack and even death. Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because many people have it and are unaware. Hypertension often does not have any symptoms.

Take care of yourself and get your blood pressure checked.

Answer 2

for adults its 120 over 80

for people under 18 Im not sure

Answer 3

A normal blood pressure will differ from and adult to a child. For an adult, the normal blood pressure is 120 over 80. However, in most adults it is usually 90/50.