What do your blood pressure numbers mean?
Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure readings include two numbers. The first number is the systolic pressure (top number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls as your heart pumps. The second number is the diastolic pressure (bottom number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats.
It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. But if the top number stays high, or the bottom number stays high, or both, that means you have high blood pressure (hypertension). For diagnosis, the top number may be 130 to 140 or higher. The bottom number may be 80 to 90 or higher.
Your doctor will give you a goal for your blood pressure. Your goal will be based on your health and your age.
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