Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Do you just smile and nod when the nurse reads your blood pressure numbers to you because you’re just not sure what it all means? You’re not alone. Here’s a quick reference to help you understand what your numbers mean.
The top number
Called the systolic, this number is the higher of the two numbers in the blood pressure reading. It measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
The bottom number
Called the diastolic, this number measures the pressure in the arteries while the heart is resting between beats as it refills with blood.
What’s normal?
While a healthy adult blood pressure is somewhat dependent upon age and gender, the American Heart Association gives these guidelines. According to internal medicine physician Dr. Susan Hingle, normal blood pressure is less than 120 for the systolic (top) and less than 80 for the diastolic (bottom). Hypertension/high blood pressure actually starts when the top number is greater than 140 and when the bottom number is greater than 90.
It’s also important to understand that a single high reading does not indicate high blood pressure. Many people are often nervous when they are at the doctor’s office, making their blood pressure rise.
Which number is more important?
Typically more attention is given to the systolic number. High blood pressure can increase the stiffness of large arteries and cause long-term build-up of plaque, leading to cardiac and vascular disease.
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