Blood pressure guidelines¹
The latest blood pressure guidelines, issued in 2003 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, divide blood pressure measurements into four general categories:

• Normal: a reading of less than 120 mm Hg over 80 mm Hg, as long as it does not get too low (a condition called hypotension).
• Prehypertension: a reading of between 120 mm Hg and 139 mm Hg (top) or between 80 mm Hg and 89 mm Hg (bottom). People with prehypertension need to change their lifestyle in order not to develop full-blown high blood pressure and the associated health complications that often come with it.
• Stage 1 High Blood Pressure: a reading of between 140 mm Hg and 159 mm Hg (top) or between 90 mm Hg and 99 mm Hg (bottom).
• Stage 2 High Blood Pressure: a reading of 160 mm Hg or more (top) or 100 mm Hg or more (bottom).

How do I learn my own blood pressure goals?¹
The only way is to go to your doctor for a screening, and find out what your blood pressure range should be. Your reading should be below 140/90. But doctors say that you should have even lower readings if you have certain other medical conditions. The goal is 130/80 if you have chronic kidney disease or diabetes.

Go the distance! Ask your doctor about your blood pressure goals today.

Next: working with your doctor