What Is a Normal Blood Preasure Reading?

Sphygmomanometer used to check blood pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the actual pressure exerted upon artery walls by the force of the body's blood flow. A normal average reading for an adult would be about 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This is just an approximate range; many different readings may be normal.

What is Blood Pressure

According to the Mayo Clinic, blood pressure is determined by multiplying the resistance of the arteries by the cardiac output, or the amount pumped in one minute, of the heart.

Systolic Reading

The systolic pressure is the first number of the reading. This is the measurement taken when the heart is contracting. 120 mmHg or lower is the ideal for this measurement.

Diastolic Reading

The bottom, or second, number of a blood pressure reading is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure that is measured when the lower heart chambers are relaxed. Anything above 90 mmHg for diastolic pressure is considered to be high.

Lower Readings

Many people have blood pressure readings that are lower than 120/80. It is not uncommon to see healthy people have readings of 100/60 or even lower. Lower readings are not usually a cause of concern.

Higher Readings

One single high blood pressure reading is not a cause for worry. However, blood pressure should be monitored in all people, since high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, yet can be deadly.

References

• Body Structures & Functions; Ann Senisi Scott; 2004
• The Human Body in Health and Illness; Barbara Herlihy PhD, RN; 2003
• American Heart Association: Blood Pressure

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: High Blood Pressure