Blood Pressure Category Checker
Look up which published AHA blood-pressure category a systolic/diastolic reading falls into — category lookup only.
AHA BP categories last updated · reference source
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Dated static reference; no live data is fetched. Verify current source values and assumptions before relying on results.
What this tool does
Look up which published AHA blood-pressure category a systolic/diastolic reading falls into — category lookup only. Category lookup ONLY — this is not a diagnosis. A single reading never establishes a diagnosis; guidelines require repeated, correctly taken measurements. A reading in the crisis range with symptoms is an emergency in AHA guidance — seek urgent care.
How to use the Blood Pressure Category Checker
- Enter or select systolic (top number, mmhg).
- Enter or select diastolic (bottom number, mmhg).
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
Category lookup against the AHA published table: Normal <120 and <80; Elevated 120–129 and <80; Stage 1: 130–139 or 80–89; Stage 2: ≥140 or ≥90; Crisis range: >180 and/or >120 (higher of the two numbers governs)
- systolic
- Systolic (top number, mmHg)
- diastolic
- Diastolic (bottom number, mmHg)
Category lookup ONLY — this is not a diagnosis. A single reading never establishes a diagnosis; guidelines require repeated, correctly taken measurements. A reading in the crisis range with symptoms is an emergency in AHA guidance — seek urgent care.
Worked example
For blood pressure category checker, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Systolic (top number, mmHg): 118; Diastolic (bottom number, mmHg): 76.
Inputs
- Systolic (top number, mmHg)118
- Diastolic (bottom number, mmHg)76
Result
- AHA category for this readingNormal
AHA blood-pressure categories
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below 120 | and below 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | and below 80 |
| High blood pressure — Stage 1 | 130–139 | or 80–89 |
| High blood pressure — Stage 2 | 140 or higher | or 90 or higher |
| Hypertensive crisis range | Higher than 180 | and/or higher than 120 |
Results explained
- AHA category for this reading
- AHA category for this reading from the formula above. Category lookup ONLY — this is not a diagnosis. A single reading never establishes a diagnosis; guidelines require repeated, correctly taken measurements. A reading in the crisis range with symptoms is an emergency in AHA guidance — seek urgent care.
Frequently asked questions
Normal: below 120 and below 80. Elevated: 120–129 with diastolic below 80. Stage 1: 130–139 or 80–89. Stage 2: 140+ or 90+. Crisis range: above 180 and/or above 120.
Whichever of systolic or diastolic falls in the higher category governs the lookup — a 118/85 reading is Stage 1 because of the diastolic 85.
No — and this checker does not diagnose anything. Guidelines require an average of multiple readings taken seated, rested, with a correctly sized cuff, often confirmed on separate days.
Sit with back supported and feet flat for 5 minutes, arm supported at heart level, no caffeine, exercise or smoking in the prior 30 minutes, and take two readings a minute apart.
The AHA advises that a reading in this range, especially with chest pain, breathlessness, back pain, vision changes or weakness, is an emergency — call emergency services rather than relying on any calculator.