As a general guide: high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you’re over the age of 80) ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

Optimal blood pressure is a reading of lower than 120/80. When your blood pressure numbers are consistently greater than 135/85, you’re considered to have high blood pressure, or hypertension (but if you have diabetes or kidney disease, 130/80 is considered a high reading).

Normal Blood Pressure By Age

Blood pressure is usually written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by a slash, then the diastolic blood pressure. An example is 134/76. A blood pressure reading of more than 140/90 is generally considered high blood pressure. There is no number that identifies your blood pressure as too low.

Blood pressure of 120/80 or above is considered elevated; 130/80 to 139/89 is now considered Stage 1 hypertension and anything 140/90 or above will be considered stage 2 hypertension.

The previous guidelines set the threshold at 140/90 mm Hg for people younger than age 65 and 150/80 mm Hg for those ages 65 and older. This means 70% to 79% of men ages 55 and older are now classified as having hypertension. That includes many men whose blood pressure had previously been considered healthy.

Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:

• headaches.
• shortness of breath.
• nosebleeds.
• flushing.
• dizziness.
• chest pain.
• visual changes.
• blood in the urine.

120 to 129/less than 80 (Elevated): You probably don’t need medication. 130/80 to 139/89 (stage 1 hypertension): You might need medication. 140/90 or higher (stage 2 hypertension): You probably need medication.