From the Guidelines
Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg. According to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline 1, this definition remains the same as in previous guidelines. The guideline also introduces new categories, such as "elevated BP" for systolic pressures between 120-129 mmHg and diastolic pressures less than 80 mmHg, and "stage 1 hypertension" for systolic pressures between 130-139 mmHg or diastolic pressures between 80-89 mmHg.
Key Points to Consider
- Blood pressure can vary slightly from person to person, and it's essential to have it checked regularly to detect any potential issues early on.
- The American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of maintaining a normal blood pressure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular-renal disease 1.
- Factors such as diet, physical activity, and lifestyle play a significant role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
- Accurate blood pressure readings can be obtained by measuring blood pressure after sitting quietly for at least five minutes, with the arm supported at heart level.
Classification of Blood Pressure
- Normal blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg
- Elevated blood pressure: 120-129/less than 80 mmHg
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139/80-89 mmHg
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher/90 or higher mmHg It's crucial to note that blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day based on activity levels, stress, and other factors, and high blood pressure often has no symptoms but can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke if left untreated 1.
From the Research
Definition of Normal Blood Pressure
- Normal blood pressure is typically defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of less than 130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of less than 80 mm Hg 2, 3.
- The American Heart Association recommends a blood pressure goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg for adults with hypertension 3.
- Reducing blood pressure to less than 135/85 mm Hg may further reduce the risk of myocardial infarction 3.
Blood Pressure Targets
- For adults under 65 years, the target blood pressure is less than 130/80 mm Hg 2.
- For adults 65 years and older, the target systolic blood pressure is less than 130 mm Hg 2.
- Achieving these blood pressure targets can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke 2, 3.
Lifestyle Interventions
- Lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, healthy dietary patterns, physical activity, and moderation of alcohol consumption, are recommended as first-line therapy for hypertension 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Increasing physical activity has extensive benefits, including improving both blood pressure and blood cholesterol 5.
- A healthy dietary pattern, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, can help reduce blood pressure 3, 4.