Blood pressure is a critical part of healthy well-being and monitoring it to normal levels of pressure is important for healthy aging.
What is Blood Pressure?
As blood flows through the arteries (also known as blood vessels), it exerts a certain amount of pressure against the walls of the arteries. This is called ‘blood pressure’.
At all phases of life, it’s important to keep a close eye on blood pressure measurements. Blood pressure that is too high or too low could indicate abnormal body conditions.
What Blood Pressure measurements are healthy, and which are considered hypertension?
Here is an outline of blood pressure ranges, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) as of 2019.
| STATUS | SYSTOLIC mm Hg | and/or | DIASTOLIC mm Hg |
| Normal | LESS THAN 120 | and | LESS THAN 80 |
| Elevated | 120 – 129 | and | LESS THAN 80 |
| High Blood Pressure State 1 Hypertension | 130 – 139 | or | 80-89 |
| High Blood Pressure Stage 2 Hypertension | 140 OR HIGHER | or | 90 OR HIGHER |
| Hypertensive Crisis | HIGHER THAN 180 | and/or | HIGHER THAN 120 |
These AHA ranges apply to people of all ages, gender, and lifestyles.