Blood Pressure Category Calculator
Where a reading falls on the ACC/AHA scale.
A single reading is not a diagnosis. Measure seated and rested, take two or three readings a minute apart, and average them.
Blood pressure
118/76
Normal
How the Blood Pressure Category Calculator works
The 2017 ACC/AHA guideline lowered the threshold for hypertension from 140/90 to 130/80, which reclassified a large share of the adult population overnight. Categories are assigned by whichever of the two numbers is worse.
Not medical advice. This calculator gives a general estimate, not medical advice. It cannot account for your individual health, medical history, or medication. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any result.
Frequently asked questions
What are the blood pressure categories?
Normal: under 120 and under 80. Elevated: 120-129 and under 80. Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 or 80-89. Stage 2: 140+ or 90+. Hypertensive crisis: above 180 or above 120, which needs immediate medical attention.
Which number matters more, systolic or diastolic?
Systolic is the stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk after about age 50, as arteries stiffen. Below 50, diastolic carries more weight. Categories use whichever number falls in the higher band, so either alone can determine the stage.
How should blood pressure be measured properly?
Seated, back supported, feet flat, arm at heart level, after five minutes of rest, with no caffeine or exercise in the preceding 30 minutes. Take two or three readings a minute apart and average them. A single casual reading is not a diagnosis.
What is white coat hypertension?
Readings that are elevated in a clinical setting but normal at home, affecting perhaps 15-30% of people diagnosed in clinic. It is the main reason home or 24-hour ambulatory monitoring is recommended before starting treatment.