02/05/2026
What do your blood pressure numbers mean?
If your blood pressure is in the normal range, stick with heart-healthy habits such as following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
If your blood pressure is elevated, stick with or adopt heart-healthy habits such as following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. The goal is to prevent reaching hypertension Stage 1.
In hypertension Stage 1, your health care professional should prescribe lifestyle changes. They may consider adding medication based on your risk of heart disease or stroke and should add medication if you have other conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and kidney disease.
In hypertension Stage 2, your health care professional should prescribe blood pressure medication and lifestyle changes.
In severe hypertension, if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg:
If the second reading is just as high, check for these symptoms:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Back pain
Numbness
Weakness
Change in vision
Difficulty speaking
If you do not have any of these symptoms or any other new and concerning symptoms, you likely have severe hypertension. You should contact your health care professional. Your health care professional may start or adjust blood pressure medication.
American Heart Association
