Not medical advice. This tool gives general information only and does not diagnose or treat anything. Nothing you type leaves your device. Talk to your own clinician about your numbers.
How this checker works and sources
The tool compares your two numbers to the blood pressure categories in the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline, which the American Heart Association still uses on its public pages. When your systolic and diastolic numbers fall in different categories, the higher category applies. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | under 120 | and under 80 |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and under 80 |
| Stage 1 | 130 to 139 | or 80 to 89 |
| Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or 90 or higher |
| Hypertensive crisis | higher than 180 | and/or higher than 120 |
What one reading can and cannot tell you
Blood pressure changes through the day with stress, caffeine, pain, sleep and even talking. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is based on readings taken on more than one occasion, ideally with a validated home monitor and a clinic check. A single high number in the stage 1 or stage 2 range is a reason to measure again properly and to talk to your clinician, not a reason to panic or to start or stop medicines yourself. A single crisis-range number is different: the AHA advises waiting five minutes and measuring again, and seeking immediate help if it stays that high or if you have symptoms.
Measuring properly
Avoid caffeine, exercise and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand, empty your bladder, and sit quietly for five minutes with your back supported, feet flat and arm resting at heart level. Use a cuff that fits your arm, and take two readings a minute apart and average them. Wrist and finger devices are usually less reliable than upper-arm monitors. If you are choosing a monitor, our guides to the best blood pressure monitor for home use after 50 and Omron versus Withings explain the differences. For background on what your numbers mean, read high blood pressure after 50.
Limits of this tool
The categories apply to adults and are used for screening and conversation. They do not account for your other health conditions, your medicines or your personal targets, which your clinician may set differently. Some other guidelines, including European ones, use different thresholds, so you may see other numbers elsewhere. The tool also does not interpret low blood pressure; it only mentions it if both numbers suggest your reading is lower than usual. If you are on blood pressure medicine, keep taking it as prescribed and use this tool only as a way to organise questions for your clinician.
Why numbers matter even when you feel fine
High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, which is why it is often called a silent condition. Over years it raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease, and the risk rises gradually with each step up the categories, which is the reason the guideline separates “elevated” from “normal”. Many adults over 50 find out only when a clinic reading is high. Checking at home, with a good technique, gives you and your clinician a clearer picture than a single visit, because some people read higher in the clinic than at home and others the reverse.
What to do with your result
- Normal or elevated: keep a record, stay active, limit salt and alcohol, and recheck as your clinician suggests.
- Stage 1 or 2: take readings over several days, write them down, and book a visit to review them. Bring your monitor to the appointment so it can be compared against the clinic device.
- Crisis range: follow the instructions shown in the result. Do not wait for it to come down on its own if you have symptoms.
Sources
- American Heart Association: Understanding blood pressure readings
- Whelton PK et al. 2017 ACC/AHA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults. Hypertension 2018
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal blood pressure for someone over 60?
The guideline category ‘normal’ is under 120/80 for adults. Your clinician may set a different personal target depending on your health, so use this as a reference for the conversation, not a goal on its own.
Is 140/90 high?
Yes. In the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, a top number of 140 or more or a bottom number of 90 or more falls in the stage 2 range. One reading is not a diagnosis, so confirm it with repeat readings and your clinician.
When is a blood pressure reading an emergency?
A reading higher than 180 and/or higher than 120 is a hypertensive crisis range. The AHA advises waiting five minutes and measuring again. If it remains that high, contact your clinician; if you also have chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, vision changes or trouble speaking, call 911 or your local emergency number.
What if my two numbers are in different categories?
The higher category applies. For example, 125 over 85 counts as stage 1 because the bottom number is in the stage 1 range.
Does this tool store my readings?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing is saved or sent. If you want to track readings, write them in a notebook or use your monitor’s app, and bring the log to appointments.