Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries. This measurement indicates how well your heart and blood vessels are functioning, helping assess your overall cardiovascular health.
What the Two Numbers in a Reading Mean
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers, such as 114/69 mmHg. The top number, 114, represents your systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure inside your arteries when your heart beats and pumps blood out.
The bottom number, 69, indicates your diastolic blood pressure. This reflects the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. Both numbers provide information about the pressure within your circulatory system during different phases of the cardiac cycle.
Blood Pressure Categories
A blood pressure reading of 114/69 mmHg falls within a desirable range. Medical organizations classify blood pressure into categories to interpret readings and guide health management, determining if it is healthy, elevated, or indicates hypertension.
A reading of 114/69 mmHg is considered within the “Normal” or “Optimal” blood pressure category. Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure less than 80 mmHg. Readings above this range are categorized as “Elevated” if systolic pressure is between 120-129 mmHg and diastolic pressure is less than 80 mmHg.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is divided into stages. Hypertension Stage 1 is diagnosed when systolic pressure ranges from 130-139 mmHg or diastolic pressure is between 80-89 mmHg. Hypertension Stage 2 involves systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.
The Importance of Consistent Monitoring
A single blood pressure reading, like 114/69 mmHg, provides a snapshot of your cardiovascular status at a particular moment. Numerous factors can temporarily influence blood pressure, causing it to fluctuate throughout the day. These include recent physical activity, caffeine consumption, stress levels, and the time of day.
To understand your blood pressure, monitor readings consistently over time. Tracking measurements across several days or weeks, at similar times and under similar conditions, helps reveal patterns and average values. This provides a more accurate picture of your blood pressure trends than relying on one isolated reading.