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Blood Pressure Numbers: What a High Reading Can Mean | Heart Squad

Blood Pressure Numbers: What a High Reading Can Mean

A practical guide to systolic and diastolic blood pressure, what a high home reading can mean, and when to contact a clinician.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The top number, systolic pressure, reflects pressure when the heart beats. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, reflects pressure between beats. A single home reading can be affected by stress, caffeine, pain, exercise, cuff position, or talking during measurement, so context matters.

What the numbers generally mean

Less than 120/80 mm Hg is generally considered normal for many adults.
120-129 systolic with less than 8

If your systolic number is around 170

A systolic reading around 170 mm Hg is high for most adults, but it is not enough by itself to diagnose a

If repeated readings stay high, contact your clinician promptly for individualized guidance. If a very hi

How to get a cleaner home reading

Sit with your back supported and feet flat on the floor.
Use the correct cuff size on bare skin.
Rest qui

How Heart Squad data can help

Tracking blood pressure over time can make the conversation with your care team clearer. Heart Squad read

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130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic is generally considered stage 1 high blood pressure.

140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic is generally considered stage 2 high blood pressure.

Higher than 180 systolic or higher than 120 diastolic can be an emergency when symptoms are present.

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Take two readings a minute apart and write down both.

Share your trend with your healthcare professional instead of relying on one number.

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