Why Blood Pressure Matters
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it through your body. It’s one of the most telling indicators of your cardiovascular health — and a key player in identifying risks before they become crises.
While the ideal blood pressure is often cited as around 120/80 mm Hg, what’s considered “normal” can shift slightly based on age, health history, and other individual factors.
For most people, the following is a guide.
Bl00d pressure Systolic (top number) mm Hg Diastolic (bottom number) mm Hg
Low Less than 90 Less than 60
Optimal Less than 120 Less than 80
Normal 120–129 80–84
Normal to high 130–139 85–89
High Greater than 140 Greater than 90
