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Know Your Numbers

Everyone needs to know their blood pressure numbers, as there are often no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure. That is why high blood pressure is called the silent killer.

Normal Blood Pressure

Optimal blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). The pressure of blood in the vessels when the heart beats: systolic pressure. The pressure between beats when the heart relaxes: diastolic pressure. High blood pressure: 140/90 mmHg or higher
Prehypertension: between 120-139 mmHg and/or 80-89 mmHg
Normal blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg
  • Systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading, is key to watch—especially in older Americans. Research shows that the effective treatment of high systolic blood pressure saves lives and greatly reduces illness.
  • Prehypertension (between 120/80 and/or 139/89 mmHg) presents more danger than earlier believed. The 59 million Americans with prehypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney failure.

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Archived page, reproduced from a 2008 copy. It is reference material, not current guidance.