๐ฉบ Blood Pressure Category Checker
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | <120 | and <80 |
| Elevated | 120โ129 | and <80 |
| Hypertension Stage 1 | 130โ139 | or 80โ89 |
| Hypertension Stage 2 | โฅ140 | or โฅ90 |
| Hypertensive Crisis (seek care) | >180 | and/or >120 |
Enter your systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure to see which category it falls into. You can switch between the American Heart Association (AHA) categories and the Japanese Society of Hypertension 2019 guideline (JSH 2019), which has separate thresholds for office and home readings. Handy as a quick reference for a home monitor reading.
How to use
- Enter your systolic pressure (top number, mmHg).
- Enter your diastolic pressure (bottom number, mmHg).
- Choose the standard (AHA or JSH) and, for JSH, where the reading was taken (office or home) to see the matching category.
How the calculation works
This tool compares your reading with the category table of the standard you choose. The systolic and diastolic values are each categorised, and the more severe category is the result. AHA categories Normal: under 120 and under 80 Elevated: 120โ129 and under 80 Hypertension Stage 1: 130โ139 or 80โ89 Hypertension Stage 2: 140 or more or 90 or more Hypertensive crisis: over 180 and/or over 120 The Japanese JSH 2019 guideline treats 140/90 and above as hypertension for office readings, with Grades I to III, and calls 120โ129/<80 "high-normal" and 130โ139/80โ89 "elevated". For home readings each threshold is 5 mmHg lower (hypertension from 135/85), because people are more relaxed at home and readings tend to be lower than in the clinic.
Worked example
125/78 (office) AHA: Elevated JSH: High-normal 135/70 AHA: Hypertension Stage 1 JSH office: Elevated JSH home: Grade I hypertension (home threshold is 135) 150/102 (office, JSH) The diastolic 100โ109 puts it in Grade II hypertension.
Things to be aware of
- Measure at home in the morning (within an hour of waking, after using the toilet, before breakfast and medication) and at night before bed, seated after 1โ2 minutes of rest.
- Do not judge from a single reading; look at the average over several days.
- If your systolic is 180 or higher or diastolic 120 or higher, or you have headache, chest pain or shortness of breath, seek medical care immediately.
- This tool gives a guide, not a diagnosis. See a doctor about diagnosing or treating high blood pressure.
FAQ
Does this result replace a doctor's diagnosis?
No, this tool is for general reference only, based on standard guidelines. If you suspect high blood pressure or have any health concerns, see a medical professional.
What if my systolic and diastolic readings fall into different categories?
The more severe of the two categories is used. For example, under the AHA categories, a systolic reading in the "elevated" range with a diastolic reading of 80โ89 is classed as Hypertension Stage 1.
Is it okay to judge based on a single reading?
No, blood pressure fluctuates based on conditions at the time of measurement (right after exercise, when stressed, etc.), so it's recommended to average multiple readings taken across several days.