What Your Blood Pressure Numbers Really Mean

Blood pressure is one of those numbers doctors always keep an eye on, and for good reason. It can give clues about how well your heart and blood vessels are doing. But for many of us, those numbers can feel like just that… numbers. What do they actually mean?

Let’s break it down in plain English.

The Two Numbers You Always Hear

When your doctor says your blood pressure is “120 over 80,” they’re talking about two things:

• Systolic pressure (the top number): This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is actively beating and pumping blood.

• Diastolic pressure (the bottom number): This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.

What’s Considered Normal?

Here’s a general guide from the American Heart Association:

• Normal: Less than 120/80

• Elevated: Systolic between 120 and 129 and diastolic less than 80

• High (Stage 1): Systolic between 130 and 139 or diastolic between 80 and 89

• High (Stage 2): Systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher

• Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic 180 or higher and/or diastolic 120 or higher (This is a medical emergency)

Why It Matters More As You Get Older

As we age, our blood vessels can become stiffer or narrower, making it harder for blood to flow smoothly. That’s why high blood pressure, also called hypertension, becomes more common and more important to manage in older adults. It can raise your risk for heart problems, stroke, and kidney trouble over time.

What You Can Do

You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight to improve your blood pressure. Here are a few simple things that can help:

• Stay active like going for a daily walk.

• Watch your salt because many canned and packaged foods are high in sodium.

• Drink enough water to support healthy circulation.

• Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco.

• Take your medications as prescribed.
  If you’ve been given blood pressure medicine, do not skip it unless your doctor says it’s okay.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you’re feeling dizzy, lightheaded, getting frequent headaches, or just not feeling right, it’s a good idea to check your blood pressure and call your doctor. And if your numbers are ever 180 over 120 or higher, that is a sign to seek help right away.

You do not have to be perfect. Just staying aware of your numbers and taking small steps can help you feel better and live stronger.