Normal Blood Pressure Range: A Complete Reference Guide
What counts as a healthy blood pressure? Here are the numbers, the categories, and what you should do depending on where your readings fall.
The Short Answer: Less Than 120/80 mmHg
For adults of any age, the American Heart Association defines a normal blood pressure as a systolic reading below 120 mmHg and a diastolic reading below 80 mmHg. This standard applies whether you are 25 or 75.
The systolic number (top) reflects peak pressure during a heartbeat. The diastolic number (bottom) reflects pressure when the heart rests. Both are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and together tell a complete story about cardiovascular health.
A reading of exactly 120/80 used to be called "normal." The current guidelines reclassify anything 120-129 systolic as "elevated" to encourage earlier action before hypertension develops.
Blood Pressure Categories (AHA)
All values in mmHg.
| Category | Systolic | and/or | Diastolic | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | < 120 | and | < 80 | Ideal. Protect it with a healthy lifestyle. |
| Elevated | 120-129 | and | < 80 | Above ideal. Lifestyle changes can reverse it without medication. |
| Stage 1 Hypertension | 130-139 | and | 80-89 | High blood pressure. Discuss treatment with your doctor. |
| Stage 2 Hypertension | 140+ | and | 90+ | Seriously high. Medication is typically required alongside lifestyle changes. |
| Hypertensive Crisis | 180+ | and | 120+ | Emergency. Seek medical care immediately. |
Ideal. Protect it with a healthy lifestyle.
Above ideal. Lifestyle changes can reverse it without medication.
High blood pressure. Discuss treatment with your doctor.
Seriously high. Medication is typically required alongside lifestyle changes.
Emergency. Seek medical care immediately.
Average Blood Pressure by Age Group
The target range is the same for all adults, but average readings typically rise with age. The table below shows approximate averages, not healthy targets.
Higher average readings at older ages are common but not healthy norms. The AHA target remains below 120/80 for everyone.
| Age Group | Avg Systolic Range | Avg Diastolic Range | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children (6-13) | 85-120 | 55-80 | Measured against height and weight percentiles. |
| Adolescents (14-18) | 95-120 | 60-80 | Approaching adult ranges. |
| Adults (18-39) | < 120 | < 80 | AHA normal range. Average around 110/70. |
| Adults (40-59) | < 120 | < 80 | Target stays the same; average readings tend to drift higher. |
| Adults (60+) | < 120 | < 80 | Target unchanged. Isolated systolic hypertension becomes more common. |
Common Myths About Blood Pressure Ranges
Outdated information causes a lot of unnecessary confusion.
Myth: ""100 plus your age" is a normal systolic"
Truth: This outdated formula is wrong and dangerous. The AHA target is under 120 for all adults, regardless of age. Higher readings with age reflect arterial stiffening, not a healthy norm.
Myth: "If you feel fine, your blood pressure is fine"
Truth: Hypertension is called the "silent killer" because it rarely causes symptoms until serious damage has occurred. The only way to know your blood pressure is to measure it.
Myth: "One high reading means you have hypertension"
Truth: A single high reading does not confirm hypertension. Diagnosis is based on consistently elevated readings over multiple measurements, ideally at different times of day.
Myth: "Low blood pressure is always safer than high"
Truth: Very low blood pressure (below 90/60 mmHg) can be dangerous, causing dizziness, fainting, and reduced blood flow to vital organs. Both extremes carry risk.
Know Your Numbers. Not Just Once.
Knowing the normal range is only useful if you know where your own readings sit. A single measurement at a pharmacy or clinic can be misleading. Stress, caffeine, posture, and dozens of other factors affect a single reading.
What matters is your consistent average over time. Cardilog makes it easy to build that picture. Log readings in seconds, see weekly and monthly trends, and get AI-powered explanations of what your numbers mean.
When the time comes for a doctor appointment, Cardilog generates a professional PDF report summarising your readings so you never have to rely on memory.
Log in seconds
Enter systolic, diastolic, and pulse. Cardilog timestamps every reading automatically.
Spot your trends
See weekly and monthly charts that reveal patterns a single reading never could.
Share with your doctor
Generate a professional PDF health report for every appointment.
AI explains your numbers
Ask the Cardilog AI what your readings mean and get a plain-language answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal blood pressure range for adults?
A normal blood pressure for adults is less than 120/80 mmHg. Readings between 120-129 systolic with diastolic under 80 are considered elevated. Hypertension is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. These categories apply to all adults regardless of age according to American Heart Association guidelines.
Does normal blood pressure change with age?
The target range remains the same for all adults: below 120/80 mmHg. However, average readings do tend to increase with age because arteries naturally stiffen over time. This drift is common but not desirable. A 70-year-old with a reading of 150/90 mmHg has hypertension, even if that reading is "typical" for their age group.
What is normal blood pressure for women?
The normal range is the same for women as it is for men: below 120/80 mmHg. However, women face specific cardiovascular risks. Before menopause, women tend to have slightly lower blood pressure than men the same age. After menopause, the gap closes and women often see readings rise. Pregnancy-related hypertension (preeclampsia) is also a distinct concern.
How often should I check my blood pressure if it is normal?
If your blood pressure is consistently in the normal range and you have no cardiovascular risk factors, checking once or twice a year is typically sufficient. If you have elevated readings, a family history of hypertension, diabetes, or other risk factors, home monitoring two times daily gives you and your doctor much better information.
What is the ideal blood pressure?
The ideal blood pressure is widely considered to be around 115/75 mmHg, well within the normal range. "Normal" (below 120/80) is healthy, but readings closer to 110-115 systolic are associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk across population studies.
What causes blood pressure to suddenly spike?
Sudden spikes can be triggered by stress, anxiety, pain, stimulants like caffeine or decongestants, physical exertion, or a full bladder. A single spike is usually not dangerous for otherwise healthy people. Recurring spikes or a sustained high reading require medical evaluation.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider about your blood pressure readings and whether treatment is appropriate for you.