Blood pressure levels: What’s normal, high, and low

In this article:

• What do blood pressure numbers mean?
• Blood pressure levels chart
• Blood pressure categories
• Normal blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• High blood pressure
• Dangerous blood pressure levels
• Age considerations
• Pregnancy considerations
• Treatment options
• FAQs

In this article

• What do blood pressure numbers mean?
• Blood pressure levels chart
• Blood pressure categories
• Normal blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• High blood pressure
• Dangerous blood pressure levels
• Age considerations
• Pregnancy considerations
• Treatment options
• FAQs

Seeing a blood pressure reading such as 118/76 or 142/90 can be confusing if you do not know what the numbers mean. Every reading contains two numbers, and both help determine whether your blood pressure is normal, elevated, high, dangerously high, or low. This guide explains each blood pressure level and when to seek medical advice.

What do blood pressure numbers mean?

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. It is reported in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The systolic pressure, or top number, measures the pressure when the heart beats, while the diastolic pressure, or bottom number, measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats. Both numbers help healthcare providers assess heart and blood vessel health.

A single blood pressure reading is not enough to make a diagnosis because readings can fluctuate throughout the day. Healthcare providers typically look at multiple readings taken over time. In a medical office, blood pressure is usually measured after the patient has been seated and resting quietly.

Blood pressure levels chart

The American Heart Association (AHA) classifies adult blood pressure readings as normal, elevated, Stage 1 hypertension, Stage 2 hypertension, severe hypertension, or hypertensive emergency. The chart below also includes hypotension, generally defined as blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg, to show the full range of blood pressure levels.

Blood pressure categories
Category	Systolic (mm Hg)	Diastolic (mm Hg)
Low (Hypotension)	Less than 90	Less than 60
Normal	Less than 120	And Less than 80
Elevated	120–129	And Less than 80
Stage 1 hypertension	130–139	Or 80–89
Stage 2 hypertension	140 or higher	Or 90 or higher
Severe hypertension (If you do not have symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider for medical advice)	Higher than 180	and/or Higher than 120
Hypertensive emergency (Call 911 if you have any of the following symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or trouble speaking)	Higher than 180	and/or Higher than 120

Source: American Heart Association guidelines

Even though someone can feel normal, their blood pressure readings can still give clues to underlying heart health risks. If the systolic and diastolic numbers fall into different categories, the reading is classified in the higher category. High blood pressure can pose health risks even when someone feels well. These risks include  “stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, [and] atrial fibrillation,” explains Edward LaPorta, MD, FACC, cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer of Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia.

Severe hypertension and a hypertensive emergency can involve similar readings, but the difference is whether symptoms are present. If someone has a blood pressure reading above 180/120 mm Hg along with chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking, they should seek emergency medical care immediately.

This chart is for general reference only. A licensed healthcare professional can confirm a diagnosis and recommend appropriate hypertension treatments and medications.

What is normal blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. However, blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day in response to factors such as activity, stress, caffeine, and time of day.

“One reading alone does not tell the whole story, because blood pressure naturally changes during the day with things like activity, stress, caffeine, and time of day,” says Stacie Pinderhughes, MD, Senior Medical Director at Arizona Priority Care. “That’s why it is more helpful to look at several readings over time and focus on the average, rather than worrying about a single number that is a little higher or lower,” she says.

People with normal blood pressure should aim to maintain it by eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and following other heart-healthy habits.

What counts as low blood pressure?

The AHA defines low blood pressure, or hypotension, as a reading below 90/60 mm Hg. However, low blood pressure is not always a problem. Whether it is concerning “is based on whether the patient is having symptoms,” Dr. LaPorta says. Some people with low blood pressure feel well and can perform their usual daily activities without difficulty.

Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Fatigue
• Neck or back pain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision or vision changes
• Heart palpitations

Low blood pressure may be caused by dehydration, certain medications, prolonged bed rest or standing, pregnancy, heart or endocrine conditions, Parkinson’s disease, low blood sugar, or diabetes. In severe cases, septic shock, a serious allergic reaction, or significant blood loss can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Contact a healthcare provider if your blood pressure drops suddenly or you experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or fainting. Seek emergency medical care for signs of shock, a severe allergic reaction, or significant blood loss.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a blood pressure reading of 130 mm Hg or higher systolic or 80 mm Hg or higher diastolic. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S. adults (48%) have high blood pressure.

Stage 1 hypertension is a systolic reading of 130–139 mm Hg or a diastolic reading of 80–89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic reading of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic reading of 90 mm Hg or higher. Stage 2 is more severe and typically requires medication in addition to lifestyle changes.

Hypertension often causes no noticeable symptoms. High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” because it can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss, and problems with memory and thinking, Dr. Pinderhughes says. “It often causes no symptoms, so this damage can build up silently in the background,” she says. Because hypertension symptoms may not appear until blood pressure is severely high, regular blood pressure checks are important.

Most cases have no identifiable cause and are known as primary or essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension may be caused by kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, endocrine or blood vessel disorders, certain medications, or pregnancy-related conditions. Factors that can increase the risk of hypertension include a family history, a high-sodium diet, physical inactivity, and smoking.

What are dangerous blood pressure levels?

Blood pressure can be dangerous when it is extremely high or drops low enough to reduce blood flow to vital organs. A severe drop may prevent the brain and other organs from receiving enough oxygen and nutrients, potentially causing confusion, fainting, or shock. Severely high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs, including the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Severe hypertension is a systolic reading above 180 mm Hg and/or a diastolic reading above 120 mm Hg. Severe hypertension without signs of acute organ damage is sometimes called hypertensive urgency. A hypertensive emergency occurs when the reading is accompanied by symptoms that may indicate organ damage, including:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Back pain
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Change in vision/blurry vision
• Difficulty speaking

If you have severe hypertension without symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider for medical advice. If you have severe hypertension with symptoms such as those listed above, you should call 911 and get emergency medical attention. It’s important to get an evaluation to identify the factors contributing to your high blood pressure and start appropriate treatment. People with a hypertensive emergency may be put on intravenous (IV) medications to control blood pressure gradually over 24 to 48 hours.

Does blood pressure change with age?

One’s blood pressure can change with age. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in 2020 found a trend where hypertension increased with age in U.S. adults. Between 2017 and 2018, about 1 in 4 (22.4%) of people aged 18–39 had hypertension, compared to about 1 in 2 (54.5%) of people aged 40–59 and 3 in 4 (74.5%) of people 60 and over.

Based on data up to 2018, an article found associations between increasing age and average blood pressure readings. Older adults with normal blood pressure readings were more likely to have a healthy lifestyle and were less likely to have related conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Blood pressure ranges by age group
Age group	Average systolic range (mm Hg)	Average diastolic range (mm Hg)
18–44	116	70
45–64	125	74
65–74	131	69
75 and over	138	64

Source: American Journal of Hypertension

Blood pressure is interpreted differently in children. For children younger than 13, normal and high readings are based on age, sex, and height percentiles. For adolescents ages 13 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines use fixed blood pressure thresholds similar to those used for adults. A pediatric healthcare provider should interpret concerning readings in children and teens.

Blood pressure during pregnancy

Regular blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy is important because hypertension can lead to complications such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, and preterm delivery. Preeclampsia involves high blood pressure with protein in the urine or other signs of organ dysfunction. Eclampsia occurs when preeclampsia causes seizures and is a medical emergency.

“During a healthy pregnancy, blood pressure often drops a little in the middle of pregnancy and then usually returns closer to the woman’s usual level by the end,” Dr. Pinderhughes says. “However, some pregnant people develop high blood pressure conditions such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, which can be dangerous for both parent and baby and always need close monitoring,” she advises.

The American Heart Association defines hypertension during pregnancy as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher, while a reading of 160/110 mm Hg or higher is considered severe. For people with chronic hypertension, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends using 140/90 mm Hg as the threshold for starting or adjusting blood pressure medication during pregnancy.

How is high blood pressure treated?

The 2025 AHA/ACC high blood pressure guidelines recommend lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication to treat hypertension. For Stage 1 hypertension, healthcare providers recommend lifestyle changes and may add medication based on the person’s risk of heart disease or stroke and related conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease. Stage 2 hypertension generally requires medication along with lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure include:

• Maintain or achieve a healthy weight
• Eating a heart-healthy diet, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet 
• Reduce sodium in your diet
• Increase potassium in your diet
• Start moderate physical activity (always check with a healthcare provider before starting or changing your exercise routine)
• Manage stress
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol

Other strategies for lowering blood pressure include avoiding tobacco, including vaping, and getting enough quality sleep. Dr. Pinderhughes also recommends treating sleep problems, such as sleep apnea, when present.

“These steps are often recommended for people with mildly elevated blood pressure and are still very important when medication is needed,” she says.

Medication therapy

Medication therapy may be recommended by healthcare providers for people who have Stage 1 hypertension, and it will likely be recommended for people who have Stage 2 hypertension.

First-line blood pressure medications include:

• Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
• Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine
• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), such as valsartan

Treatment goals may vary based on factors such as a person’s age, overall health, and other medical conditions. “Healthcare providers often start with a careful evaluation rather than treating the blood pressure number alone,” Dr. Pinderhughes says.

In general, the goal is to lower blood pressure to below 130/80 mm Hg. Many people need to take blood pressure medication long term to keep their condition under control. Hypertension resources and financial assistance may help people manage treatment costs.

How is low blood pressure treated?

Treatment for low blood pressure depends on the cause and whether it produces symptoms. “Initial treatments include checking for medications that can exacerbate low blood pressure,” Dr. LaPorta says. If a medication is responsible, a healthcare provider may adjust the dose or switch treatments.

Other ways to raise blood pressure may include drinking more fluids, increasing salt intake under medical guidance, standing up gradually, wearing compression stockings or an abdominal binder, and managing underlying conditions such as thyroid disorders or low blood sugar.

“Medical treatment includes medications that elevate blood pressure by causing constriction of vessels, salt and fluid retention,” Dr. LaPorta says. Midodrine is approved for symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, while fludrocortisone may be prescribed off-label.

Orthostatic hypotension is a drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic within three minutes of standing.

People with low blood pressure who do not have symptoms may not need treatment. However, they should contact a healthcare provider if their blood pressure drops suddenly or if symptoms develop. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and are covered in this guide to low blood pressure treatments and medications.

Expert takeaway

“A normal blood pressure may not look exactly the same in every person,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Review Board. “Talk to your healthcare provider about your blood pressure numbers and what range is healthy for you.”

Frequently asked questions

What’s the new normal blood pressure for seniors?

There is no separate “new normal” for seniors; normal blood pressure for adults is below 120/80 mm Hg (meaning the systolic is less than 120 mm Hg, and the diastolic is less than 80 mm Hg), regardless of age.

What’s stroke-level blood pressure?

“Stroke-level blood pressure” is not a formal medical term, but a reading above 180/120 mm Hg can be life-threatening, particularly when accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.

What is a dangerously low blood pressure for a woman?

There is no separate threshold for women; blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg is considered low and may be dangerous if it drops suddenly or causes symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, or fainting.

What causes high blood pressure?

Most cases have no single identifiable cause, but age, family history, a high-sodium diet, physical inactivity, smoking, certain medical conditions, and some medications can increase the risk.

What causes low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure may be caused by dehydration, blood loss, certain medications, pregnancy, diabetes, or heart problems, while severe infections or allergic reactions can cause a dangerous, sudden drop.