Explanation of Your Blood Pressure Reading

If you've ever wondered exactly what your blood pressure reading means, you're not alone. Most people would prefer a simple explanation of your blood pressure reading, and even simpler answers as to how to improve your blood pressure reading, especially if it's particularly high. For a simple explanation of your blood pressure reading and solid answers to how to improve it, read on.

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels. Blood pressure depends on the strength of the heartbeat, thickness and volume of the blood, the elasticity of the artery walls, and the healthiness of the individual. Blood pressure falls into four categories including: Normal Blood Pressure, Pre-hypertension, Stage 1 Hypertension, and Stage 2 Hypertension.

Blood pressure numbers are further categorized into two types: systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure (the top number) means the contraction of the heart during which blood is pumped into the arteries and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) means the rhythmic expansion of the chambers of the heart at each heartbeat, during which they fill with blood.

Blood pressure readings can read as low as 80 (diastolic) and as high as 160 (systolic). If your systolic blood pressure falls between 90-120 your blood pressure is considered normal. If your diastolic blood pressure falls between 60-80, your blood pressure is also considered normal. So, this means a blood pressure reading of 120/80 is normal. However, it must be noted that current guidelines state that a healthy blood pressure is one that falls below 120/80.

Here is a complete breakdown of what the numbers mean: If your systolic number is below 120 and your diastolic number is below 80, you have Normal Blood Pressure; if your systolic number is 120-139 and your diastolic number is 80-89, you are categorized as Pre-hypertension; if your systolic number is 140-159 and your diastolic number is 90-99, you are categorized as Stage 1 Hypertension; if your systolic number is 160 or more and your diastolic number is 100 or more, you are categorized as Stage 2 Hypertension.