High Blood Pressure

Congratulations! This blood pressure reading is in the normal range. Keep up the good work. Stick with these heart-healthy habits.

This blood pressure reading is in the elevated range. Unless steps are taken to control it, elevated blood pressure can turn into high blood pressure.

It’s important to recheck your blood pressure with your health care team. They can confirm if this reading is within your target blood pressure range and discuss any steps you might need to take to keep it in a healthy range. Lifestyle changes can help.

This blood pressure reading is in the high blood pressure Stage 1 range. It’s important to recheck your blood pressure with your health care team. If they confirm a diagnosis of high blood pressure Stage 1, they should prescribe lifestyle changes. They may add medication based on your risk of heart disease or stroke. Medication should also be added if you have other conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and kidney disease.

This blood pressure reading is in the high blood pressure Stage 2 range. It’s important to recheck your blood pressure with your health care team. If they confirm a diagnosis of high blood pressure Stage 2, they should prescribe lifestyle changes and medication to lower your blood pressure. You may need one or more medications to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

This blood pressure reading is in the hypertensive crisis range.

• Wait five minutes.
• Take your blood pressure again.

If your readings are still high, call your health care professional right away.

Call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 and you are having chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.