Normal Blood Pressure Chart

What is a Normal Blood Pressure Chart?

A standard blood pressure chart displays blood pressure values derived from measurements taken during a person's medical examination or at-home test. Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is shown as systolic pressure over diastolic blood pressure.

The initial value, systolic blood pressure, signifies the highest level reached when the heart beats, propelling blood against the artery walls. The second value, diastolic pressure, indicates the lowest level as the heart rests between beats. The standard blood pressure representation is in the systolic format over diastolic.

A Normal Blood Pressure Chart can be used as a baseline for healthcare professionals to evaluate an individual's blood pressure readings and determine if they fall within a healthy range. This chart includes the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, which are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

A healthy blood pressure reading lies around 120/80 mmHg (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). That's the ideal blood pressure. However, this average is influenced by age and the patient's current health status, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to consider various factors when interpreting results and blood pressure levels, as what may be regarded as normal for one individual could be problematic for another.

Are pulse rate and blood pressure the same?

Some individuals might confuse pulse rate with blood pressure due to their close association with cardiovascular health. However, they are not. Pulse rate, or heart rate, refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute. Resting heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute but may fluctuate over short periods (British Heart Foundation, 2021). On the other hand, blood pressure measures the force of blood against the artery walls.

A pulse rate chart shows heartbeats over time, making spotting trends and unusual patterns easier. It's a helpful tool for keeping track of heart health and seeing how well treatments or lifestyle changes are working.

Understanding low blood and high blood pressure

Understanding low and high blood pressure is essential for maintaining overall health. It helps recognize potential risks and take appropriate measures to manage them effectively. Here are some of the basic things to know about each.

Low blood pressure

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood flows through blood vessels at pressures below the normal range, typically lower than 90/60 mm Hg. This condition poses a higher risk for symptoms like falling or fainting, particularly in older adults. Causes include blood loss from injury, dehydration, diabetes, heart issues such as irregular heartbeats, medications for conditions like high blood pressure or depression, and pregnancy (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022).

Here are some symptoms to look out for (Penn Medicine, 2019; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022):

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Blurry vision
• Nausea
• Heart palpitations

High blood pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common but potentially severe condition characterized by elevated pressure in the blood vessels (140/90 mmHg or higher), often without noticeable symptoms (World Health Organization, 2023).

Those with very high blood pressure may experience the following symptoms:

• Intense head pain
• Chest discomfort
• Feeling lightheaded
• Troubled breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in vision
• Mental disorientation
• Irregular heartbeat

Hypertension stages

Blood pressure is split into five categories that help differentiate the severity of potential risks associated with increased blood pressure. Here are the five stages of hypertension (American Heart Association, 2023):

• Normal BP range: Blood pressure readings below 120/80 mm Hg are normal.
• Elevated: Blood pressure ranging from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic is elevated. Without intervention, there's a risk of progressing to hypertension.
• Hypertension stage 1: Blood pressure measures consistently range from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic, placing the patient into hypertension Stage 1. Blood pressure medication and lifestyle changes are typically recommended based on the patient's risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to lower blood pressure.
• Hypertension stage 2: It occurs when blood pressure consistently reads 140/90 mm Hg or higher. At this stage, healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.
• Hypertensive crisis: If blood pressure goes over 180/120 mm Hg, it's a crisis requiring immediate medical attention. Repeat the test after five minutes; consult a healthcare professional if high values persist.

If the patient shows chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or speech difficulty, it indicates organ damage. When blood pressure exceeds 180/120 mm Hg alongside these symptoms, immediate medical help is necessary.

How does our Normal Blood Pressure Chart work?

Regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health and preventing hypertension-related complications. To get started with helping your patients maintain normal or treat high blood pressure, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the Normal Blood Pressure Chart

Normal Blood Pressure Chart is an invaluable resource to keep on hand. You can easily track and utilize this resource by clicking the download link on this page. You can even check our filled-out Normal Blood Pressure Chart example for reference on what it should look like. Do note that this is a printable blood pressure chart, too.

Step 2: Collate essential information from your patient

Complete all essential patient information. Age and lifestyle factors such as smoking and exercise should also be indicated.

After conducting the blood pressure test, analyze the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure against the recommended parameters to determine the patient's value and if there is any change or need for intervention.

Step 3: Secure and store the filled-out chart

Once the results have been reviewed, secure the normal blood pressure chart so that access is only available to the relevant parties. As blood pressure is a commonly recorded result, medical practitioners and patients need easy access to the blood pressure chart.

When would you use this chart?

A Normal Blood Pressure Chart is a well-utilized tool used in a variety of healthcare settings by both medical practitioners and patients for various reasons, some of which are outlined below: 

Medical check-ups and patient monitoring

Medical professionals may utilize a blood pressure chart during routine screenings and check-ups to assess the individual's cardiovascular health. his can also be used during regular check-ups to check for any major changes in a patient's blood pressure.

Preventative care

Continuous and regular charting of an individual's blood pressure measurement is a fantastic preventative measure to help identify the need for change before life-threatening conditions such as heart disease or strokes become a reality.

Diagnosis and treatment

Blood pressure charts are crucial in diagnosing and managing conditions like hypertension. They can help determine an appropriate treatment plan, and medical professionals can record and access the measurements to monitor the effectiveness of any prescribed intervention. 

Research  

Blood pressure measurements are well utilized in clinical studies to analyze and predict trends in blood pressure levels across different populations. This information is invaluable in identifying risk factor groups and helps dictate who should receive regular blood pressure tests to decrease the risk of hypertension. 

Fitness and well-being

Well-being and fitness programs may use a blood pressure chart to monitor the impact of specific diet and lifestyle changes on cardiovascular health. Integrating this blood pressure test template and prescription template can fortify your practice and client achievements.

References

American Heart Association. (2023, May 30). Understanding blood pressure readings. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings

British Heart Foundation. (2021, May 27). What is a normal pulse rate? https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/pulse-rate

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, May 18). High blood pressure symptoms and causes. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March 24). Low blood pressure. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/low-blood-pressure

Penn Medicine. (2019). Low blood pressure. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/low-blood-pressure

World Health Organization. (2023, March 16). Hypertension. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension