Blood Pressure Checker

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is expressed as two numbers. The top number (systolic) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps blood out. The bottom number (diastolic) measures the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats, when your heart is resting and refilling with blood. A reading of 120/80 mmHg means a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80 (Source: American Heart Association).

For accurate home blood pressure readings: sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring; sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and arm supported at heart level; use a validated, automatic upper-arm cuff monitor; take 2-3 readings one minute apart and record all results; measure at the same times each day (morning and evening); avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for 30 minutes before measuring; and do not talk during the measurement (Source: American Heart Association Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Guidelines).

The 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines lowered the threshold for hypertension from 140/90 to 130/80 mmHg based on extensive clinical evidence. Under the previous guidelines (JNC 7), a reading of 130-139/80-89 was classified as “prehypertension.” The updated guidelines now classify this as Stage 1 Hypertension, and what was previously considered “normal” (120-139/80-89) is now split into “Elevated” and “Stage 1 Hypertension.” This change was made because research showed that cardiovascular risk begins to increase at lower blood pressure levels than previously thought (Source: Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline, Journal of the American College of Cardiology).

Yes, lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce blood pressure. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) can lower systolic blood pressure by 8-14 mmHg. Regular aerobic exercise (150 minutes/week) can reduce it by 5-8 mmHg. Reducing sodium intake to under 1,500 mg/day can lower it by 5-6 mmHg. Losing excess weight can reduce blood pressure by approximately 1 mmHg per kilogram of weight lost. Limiting alcohol and managing stress also contribute to lower readings. For many people with Stage 1 Hypertension, these changes may be sufficient to bring blood pressure into the normal range without medication (Source: AHA Lifestyle Management Guidelines; DASH-Sodium Collaborative Research Group, NEJM).