Blood Pressure Category Checker
Enter your systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings to find your category.
Covers normal, elevated, high stage 1, stage 2, and crisis.
Your data stays in your browser. We do not store, collect, or transmit any information you enter.
Blood Pressure Category
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) with two numbers: systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom).
Blood pressure categories (American Heart Association):
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 120 | and | Less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | and | Less than 80 |
| High Stage 1 | 130–139 | or | 80–89 |
| High Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Hypertensive Crisis | Higher than 180 | and/or | Higher than 120 |
Understanding the numbers:
- Systolic (top number): Pressure when your heart beats
- Diastolic (bottom number): Pressure when your heart rests between beats
What to do:
- Normal: Maintain healthy lifestyle
- Elevated: Adopt lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, reduce sodium)
- High Stage 1: Lifestyle changes + possible medication
- High Stage 2: Medication + lifestyle changes
- Crisis: Seek emergency medical care immediately
Tips for accurate readings:
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
- Feet flat on the floor, arm at heart level
- Do not smoke, drink caffeine, or exercise 30 minutes before
- Take 2–3 readings and average them
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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