Blood Pressure Category Checker - AHA/ACC Guidelines

How to use this tool

1. Enter systolic. Enter the top number from your blood pressure reading (e.g., 120).
2. Enter diastolic. Enter the bottom number from your reading (e.g., 80).
3. Choose a reading mode. Classify one reading or average two or three individually valid readings taken in one sitting.
4. View your category and measures. See the AHA/ACC category, pulse pressure, and an approximate MAP estimate for the reading used.
5. Read the recommendation. Review the reference table and follow the severe-reading symptom guidance when a value is higher than 180 systolic and/or higher than 120 diastolic.

Understanding blood pressure readings

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and expressed as two numbers: systolic/diastolic. The systolic pressure is measured when your heart beats; the diastolic pressure is measured between beats. For example, 120/80 mmHg means a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80.

AHA/ACC blood pressure categories

The 2017 American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines define five blood pressure categories for adults. If systolic and diastolic values fall into different categories, the higher category applies. Normal and Elevated readings must meet both listed limits; Stage 1 and Stage 2 can be triggered by either number. The severe reading threshold is higher than 180 mmHg systolic and/or higher than 120 mmHg diastolic. The key change from older guidelines was lowering the hypertension threshold from 140/90 to 130/80 mmHg, reflecting evidence that cardiovascular risk increases significantly above that level.

Tips for an accurate home reading

• Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring.
• Keep your feet flat on the floor, back supported, arm at heart level.
• Do not smoke, drink caffeine, or exercise within 30 minutes of measuring.
• Take two readings at least 1 minute apart and average them for a one-sitting estimate.
• Measure at the same time each day (morning and evening).
• Record your readings to share with your doctor.

Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure

• DASH diet: rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein; low in sodium and saturated fat.
• Reduce sodium: aim for less than 2,300 mg/day; less than 1,500 mg/day if already hypertensive.
• Exercise: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
• Limit alcohol: no more than 1 drink/day for women, 2 for men.
• Quit smoking: smoking damages blood vessels and raises cardiovascular risk.
• Manage stress: chronic stress contributes to elevated blood pressure.

White coat hypertension

Many people experience elevated blood pressure readings at a doctor's office or clinic - a phenomenon called white coat hypertension - due to anxiety about the clinical setting. Readings taken at home in a relaxed environment are often 10–15 mmHg lower than clinic readings and provide a more accurate picture of your baseline blood pressure. If your home readings are consistently normal but clinic readings are elevated, mention this to your doctor; some guidelines now require out-of-office confirmation before diagnosing hypertension.

Pulse pressure

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic readings:

PP = systolic − diastolic

The checker displays this difference for the reading or average being classified. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) can be approximated as diastolic + PP/3; for 120/80 mmHg, that estimate is about 93.3 mmHg. MAP is approximate and estimation methods vary. Neither PP nor MAP is an AHA/ACC category, diagnosis, or treatment target, and neither result should be used to make medication decisions.