What is a Good Blood Pressure Reading?

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects almost one in three adults in the United States and can lead to serious health complications. Knowing your blood pressure and being able to track it is important in order to ensure you stay within a healthy range. But what is a good blood pressure reading?

Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Readings

To understand what is a good blood pressure reading you need to first know what the two reading that make up a blood pressure measurement. Blood pressure readings consist of a systolic (up/top) and a diastolic (bottom/down) number. The systolic number represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscles contract, and the diastolic number is a measurement of the pressure when the heart muscles relax.

Recommended Blood Pressure Readings

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a systolic reading of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic reading of less than 80 mm Hg. These numbers are considered the healthy benchmark for adults throughout their twenties and into early middle-age. Beyond that, the AHA recommends that adults age 60 and older should aim for a systolic pressure below 140 mm Hg, and a diastolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg.

High Blood Pressure is a Concern

Blood pressure readings that exceed the above-mentioned guidelines should be addressed with a doctor. It is important to monitor and manage high blood pressure, as it can lead to long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. In order to get a true reading of your blood pressure you should always monitor it with a professional.

Whatever your readings, your focus should be on lifestyle habits that will help to achieve and maintain a healthy blood pressure. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and reducing stress will all help to reduce blood pressure if it is too high. Maintaining a regular habit of checking your blood pressure will ensure that you stay within a healthy range for many years to come.