Blood pressure table
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Many factors affect blood pressure. If it is too high or too low, it can pose a risk to the heart and brain. So, it is important to regularly check your blood pressure. Find out here what levels are healthy, how you can test your blood pressure, and how you can lower it.
High blood pressure, known as ‘hypertension’ in medicine, is widespread: it can be hereditary or caused by various external factors. Because it is a painless condition but can lead to serious related complications, it poses a serious health risk. The blood pressure chart helps keep an eye on your blood pressure levels and reduce blood pressure by making small changes to diet and exercise habits.
- Blood pressure levels at a glance
- Blood pressure table
- Measuring blood pressure levels
- Monitoring blood pressure levels
- The ideal blood pressure levels
- When is my blood pressure too high?
- Preventing high blood pressure
Blood pressure levels at a glance
A certain amount of pressure is needed to transport blood through the blood vessels to the organs and tissues, and to supply them with oxygen and nutrients. Two main mechanisms maintain this pressure: the pumping function of the heart and the elasticity of the vessel walls. When the heart muscle contracts, blood is pumped into the arteries, resulting in higher blood pressure, also known as top or systolic blood pressure. During the heart’s relaxation phase, when it fills with blood, the pressure in the arteries drops again, which is referred to as bottom or diastolic blood pressure.
Both values are therefore measured to determine blood pressure: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The blood pressure value is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). 1 mmHg is equivalent to a pressure of about 133 pascal or 0.00133 bar.
| Category | Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|
Low | < 100 | < 60 |
Optimal | < 120 | < 80 |
Normal | < 130 | < 85 |
High-normal | 130 - 139 | 85 - 89 |
Stage 1 (mild hypertension) | 140 - 159 | 90 - 99 |
Stage 2 (moderate hypertension) | 160 - 179 | 100 - 109 |
Stage 3 (acute hypertension) | >=180 | >=110 |
As shown by the blood pressure table, blood ideally circulates in both men and women with a maximum pressure of 120 to 80 mmHg. Up to 129/84 is considered normal; elevated blood pressure up to 139/89 is still considered to be within the normal range. Higher levels may be a sign of potentially harmful high blood pressure: 159/99 is considered slightly high blood pressure and levels over 180/110 are considered to be severe high blood pressure.
It is entirely common for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. For example, it can increase due to physical activity, sport or stress, as well as pain. Environmental factors such as temperature changes or a rise in fine dust pollution can also influence blood pressure levels.
Measuring blood pressure levels
Direct or indirect measurement
Blood pressure can be measured in different ways. Direct measurement, also known as the invasive method, is mainly used in hospitals, for example in intensive care units or operating rooms. This involves puncturing an artery and inserting a catheter with a pressure sensor. Indirect measurement, also known as the non-invasive method, is the more common method used to measure blood pressure in everyday life and is carried out using an electronic blood pressure monitor or a stethoscope.
Common errors when measuring blood pressure
It is easy for blood pressure measurement errors to occur that affect the accuracy of results. The most common sources of error include:
- Insufficient rest time before taking a measurement or taking a measurement during stressful situations.
- Performing a measurement after consuming coffee, tea, nicotine or other stimulants.
- Using a cuff that is too large or too small.
- The artery is not at heart level.
How to properly interpret blood pressure levels
Because blood pressure is different for every person, there are no specific limits – except for excessively high blood pressure values – for when it is advisable to see a doctor. However, if the levels rise excessively or the person has symptoms such as shortness of breath, sensations of pressure in the chest, dizziness, or nausea, they should seek medical attention immediately.
Monitoring blood pressure levels
Regular blood pressure monitoring at home helps to detect fluctuations at an early stage and control the progression better. Digital blood pressure monitors that are easy to use and able to provide accurate results are ideal for this. It is important to always carry out the measurement under comparable conditions and to record the results in a blood pressure table, also known as a blood pressure diary.
What is a blood pressure chart?
The blood pressure chart is a way to document the readings a person has taken themselves. Because blood pressure fluctuates over the course of the day, the blood pressure chart is used to record both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with the date and time of the measurement. The pulse should also be recorded to provide additional information.
It allows self-monitoring of blood pressure and can help an attending doctor to better assess the values in the long term, improving the precision of the diagnosis.
Why do I need a blood pressure chart?
Older persons, those with a hereditary predisposition, heart problems, or systemic diseases (e.g. diabetes) are all especially prone to high blood pressure. A blood pressure diary allows you to keep an eye on individual levels, detect changes early on and treat abnormal blood pressure levels at an early stage.
The ideal blood pressure levels
Ideal blood pressure levels for adult men and women are a maximum of 120/80. Normal blood pressure usually has a systolic value below 140 mmHg and a diastolic value below 90 mmHg, although a reading above 129/84 is already considered highly normal. Blood pressure values of a maximum of 120/80 at rest are considered ideal for adult men and women. Blood pressure levels up to 139/89 are within the normal range that do not pose any health risk. Levels over 129/84, however, are already considered in the elevated-normal range.
Blood pressure readings over 159/99 are considered to be minor hypertension and require a medical attention to avoid harmful complications.
When is my blood pressure too high?
Blood pressure is considered to be too high if the values measured are consistently above the recommended limits. Medical practices describe high blood pressure (hypertension) as the systolic value being 140 mmHg or more and the diastolic value 90 mmHg or more.
Whether a person’s individual blood pressure is so high that lowering it is necessary to prevent the development of pathological conditions does not merely depend on the blood pressure value. A person’s individual medical history is the determining factor: for instance, persons at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease may already require treatment even for levels falling within the elevated-normal range.
If a case of high blood pressure goes untreated, the risk of cardiac insufficiency, heart attack, circulatory disorders, stroke, or kidney damage increase considerably. This is why blood pressure should be checked regularly; at-risk groups are recommended to keep a blood pressure chart.
Preventing high blood pressure (hypertension)
A healthy lifestyle and targeted preventive measures can help to reduce the risk of developing blood pressure issues while promoting health and quality of life in the long term.
- A balanced diet: In order to lower blood pressure or prevent high blood pressure, it is recommended to reduce consumption of salty, fatty and sugary foods and to maintain a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and little meat.
- Active lifestyle: Regular physical activity and exercise strengthen the cardiovascular system and help to control weight. Half an hour of exercising a day reduces blood pressure by up to 9 mmHg.
- Weight management: Being overweight is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, so it is important to strive for and maintain a healthy body weight. As such, every excess kilogram of body weight that is lost reduces blood pressure by up to 2 mmHg.
- Alcohol and tobacco consumption: Both alcohol and tobacco consumption are considered risk factors for high blood pressure. You should therefore only consume alcohol in moderation and refrain from smoking altogether.
- Stress management: Stress drives up blood pressure, so it’s important to maintain a good work-life balance and get enough sleep.
