For example, 160/80 mmHg would be stage 2 hypertension (high blood pressure). When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be used to classify blood pressure level.Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic (see blood pressure chart below), and may vary from 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg in a healthy young woman.Ī blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher indicates high blood pressure ( hypertension). A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg (millimetres of mercury) is expressed verbally as 120 over 80.Ī healthy blood pressure reading should be lower than 120/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure (BP) readings: What is normal and when is it high blood pressure (hypertension)?īlood pressure (BP) readings are expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure (the first number or numerator), over the diastolic pressure (the second number or denominator).
