How to Use This Calculator
Enter your systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) blood pressure in mmHg. The calculator classifies your reading using 2017 AHA/ACC guidelines and explains what each category means for your health.
Formula & Background
Blood pressure is classified by comparing readings to five thresholds: Normal (<120/80), Elevated (120–129/<80), Stage 1 Hypertension (130–139 or 80–89), Stage 2 Hypertension (≥140 or ≥90), Hypertensive Crisis (>180 or >120). Category is determined by direct threshold comparison — no formula required.
Calculation Example
Reading of 135/85 → Stage 1 Hypertension. At this stage, lifestyle changes (DASH diet, sodium reduction, regular aerobic exercise) can lower systolic BP by 5–11 mmHg — often enough to avoid medication entirely.
Expert Tips
- Measure after 5 minutes of rest in a quiet room; avoid caffeine and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Take two readings 1 minute apart at the same time each day; record the average, not the lower reading.
- White-coat hypertension (elevated only at the clinic) affects ~20% of patients — 7-day home monitoring gives a truer picture.
- DASH diet adherence alone can reduce systolic BP by up to 11 mmHg, comparable to one antihypertensive medication.