Range of bp
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American Heart Association blood pressure categories normal elevated hypertension stage 1 stage 2 hypertensive crisis
For non-pregnant adults, blood pressure (BP) is written as systolic/diastolic, for example, 120/80 mmHg:
| Category | Systolic (top number) | Diastolic (bottom number) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | <120 | and <80 |
| Elevated | 120-129 | and <80 |
| Hypertension, stage 1 | 130-139 | or 80-89 |
| Hypertension, stage 2 | ≥140 | or ≥90 |
| Severe hypertension | >180 | and/or >120 |
A reading over 180/120 mmHg with chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness/numbness, vision change, severe headache, or trouble speaking is a medical emergency. See the AHA BP categories.
Diagnosis should be based on repeated, correctly measured readings, not one isolated value. Ranges differ for children and during pregnancy.
Range in guyton
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Guyton Hall Textbook Medical Physiology normal arterial blood pressure 120 80 mean pressure
According to Guyton and Hall:
- Normal arterial blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg
- Normal systolic BP: about 120 mmHg
Usual physiological range: 100-140 mmHg - Normal diastolic BP: about 80 mmHg
Usual physiological range: 60-90 mmHg - Pulse pressure: 40 mmHg
(120 - 80 = 40) - Mean arterial pressure (MAP): about 93 mmHg
(MAP = DBP + \frac{1}{3} \times pulse\ pressure = 80 + \frac{40}{3} \approx 93)
Guyton also describes the mean pressure in the aorta as approximately 100 mmHg.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, arterial pressure chapter.
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, arterial pressure chapter.
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