What do each numbers in blood pressure mean?
The first or top number is your systolic blood pressure. This is the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle. The second or bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure. This is the lowest level your blood pressure reaches as your heart relaxes between beats.
What is more important systolic or diastolic blood pressure?
When it comes to measuring high blood pressure (hypertension), many wonder whether the number on top (systolic) is more important than the number on the bottom (diastolic). Typically, systolic blood pressure is given more attention as a risk factor for heart disease.
HOW BAD IS 140 80 blood pressure?
Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.
Which BP number is worse when high?
It could be that diastolic blood pressure becomes more important when it is very high. There is some evidence to suggest that a blood pressure of 180/120mmHg gives a greater risk of stroke or heart attack than 180/100mmHg.
What do your blood pressure numbers really mean?
Blood pressure is the minimum and maximum force that the blood puts on the vessel walls. The first number in a blood pressure reading is systolic pressure while the second number is diastolic pressure. Blood pressure numbers above the normal range may indicate a problem.
What are the top and bottom numbers of blood pressure?
Blood pressure usually ranges between 90 to 250 for the top or maximum number ( systolic ) and 60 to 140 for the bottom or minimum number (diastolic).
What are the blood pressure numbers called?
The standard unit of measurement for the blood pressure numbers is millimeters of mercury, abbreviated as mmHg. The higher number that comes first is called systolic pressure. This is the pressure on the artery walls during a heartbeat while the heart muscle is working.
What numbers are considered too low for blood pressure?
Most doctors consider blood pressure too low only if it causes symptoms. 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.