what does the top and bottom number in blood pressure mean?
18683
The top number of your blood pressure reading tells you the force of the blood against artery walls when your heart beats. It is called systolic pressure. The bottom number tells you what your blood pressure is when your heart is at rest between heartbeats. It is called diastolic pressure.
158163
It is given as two figures — highest over lowest or systolic over diastolic. Your blood pressure varies from day to day, even moment to moment. Most doctors would say that a healthy blood pressure is higher than 90/60 mm/Hg but lower than about 140/90.
81020
Healthy blood pressure in adults is a reading below 120 systolic and 80 diastolic. Blood pressure between 120 to 129 systolic and under 80 diastolic is considered elevated. Elevated blood pressure means you have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure later on.
1264235
Numbers higher than 120/80 mm Hg are a red flag that you need to take on heart-healthy habits. When your systolic pressure is between 120 and 129 mm Hg and your diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm Hg, it means you have elevated blood pressure.
957976
When your doctor takes your blood pressure, it's expressed as a measurement with two numbers, with one number on top (systolic) and one on the bottom (diastolic), like a fraction. For example, 120/80 mm Hg. The top number refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle.
919778
Normal blood pressure is defined when the top number (systolic) is less than 120 mm Hg and the bottom number is under 80 mm Hg. Anything less than 90 over 60 is considered low, but low doesn't always mean unhealthy or dangerous. Sometimes there are reasons for low blood pressure.
41932
ANSWER. The diastolic reading, or the bottom number, is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. This is the time when the heart fills with blood and gets oxygen. A normal diastolic blood pressure is lower than 80. A reading of 90 or higher means you have high blood pressure.
356006
Now, elevated blood pressure (without a diagnosis of hypertension) is systolic blood pressure (the top number) between 120 and 129. That used to be a vague category called “prehypertension.”
224050
Diastolic, the lower number, is the pressure between beats. Normal blood pressure is considered to be anything below 120/80. Prehypertension is defined as a systolic reading between 120 and 129 and a diastolic reading lower than 80. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 130/80 or higher.
102970
A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure.
707567
Perhaps this has happened to you: You go to the doctor, for a checkup or a sprained ankle, and find that your blood pressure is high. Not really high, not hypertension high, but borderline high. Say 130 over 85. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or below, and hypertension is defined as 140/90 or higher.
45490
In severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure.
549892
The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). As a general guide: high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you're over the age of 80)
532513
High blood pressure is a systolic pressure of 130 or higher,or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher, that stays high over time. High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms. That's why it is so dangerous. But it can be managed.
68279
Some experts define low blood pressure as readings lower than 90 mm Hg systolic or 60 mm Hg diastolic. If either number is below that, your pressure is lower than normal. A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous.
865028
Understanding Hypotension If your blood pressure is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or lower, it's considered normal. Generally, if the blood pressure reading is under 90/60 mm Hg, it is abnormally low and is referred to as hypotension.
1238254
Generally, if the blood pressure reading is under 90/60 mm Hg, it is abnormally low and is referred to as hypotension. Some adults regularly have blood pressure in the hypotensive range but have no symptoms and do not require treatment.