Blood Pressure by Age
Enter your blood pressure reading and find out which category it falls into - normal, elevated, or hypertension stage 1 or 2. Comes with a plain-English explanation of what it means.
How to use
- Enter your age.
- Enter your systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) from your reading.
- Hit Calculate to see your BP category and what it generally means.
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Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: systolic (the pressure when your heart beats) over diastolic (the pressure when it rests between beats). A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal for adults. Readings between 120-129 systolic are elevated; 130-139/80-89 is Stage 1 hypertension; 140+/90+ is Stage 2. Above 180/120 is a hypertensive crisis requiring immediate attention.
A single high reading does not necessarily mean hypertension - blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, rises with stress or exercise, and can spike from caffeine or a rushed commute. Clinicians typically look at readings taken over multiple visits at rest. This tool helps you understand what category a reading falls in, but a pattern over time matters far more than any single number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal blood pressure reading?
For adults, less than 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. 120-129/less than 80 is elevated. 130-139/80-89 is Stage 1 hypertension. 140+/90+ is Stage 2. These are general guidelines - your doctor may interpret readings differently based on your history.
Does blood pressure vary through the day?
Significantly. It is typically lowest at night during sleep and rises sharply in the morning. Physical activity, stress, caffeine, and even the white-coat effect (anxiety from being in a clinic) all cause temporary spikes. Measure at the same time each day at rest for consistent tracking.
At what reading should I seek emergency care?
A reading of 180/120 or above is a hypertensive crisis. If accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or vision changes, call emergency services immediately. If you have no symptoms, recheck after a few minutes of rest before calling your doctor.