Understanding Normal Blood Pressure: Ranges & What's Healthy

Maintaining normal blood pressure is very important. Fortunately, healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way in maintaining a normal level; you can take medications if necessary as well.

Blood Pressure Numbers

• The top number measures your blood pressure while the heart beats and the bottom measures pressure between beats.

  120/80 or lower indicates ideal blood pressure. A reading of 90/60 indicates low blood pressure. Any reading with the top number falling between 120 and 139 and the bottom between 80 and 89 is considered pre-hypertension. A reading of 140/90 or over indicates high blood pressure.

Importance of Normal Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure can cause a number of problems including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, vision loss and kidney problems.

Diet for Healthy Blood Pressure

• Restrict sodium intake to 2,400 mg or less. 1,500 mg or less can dramatically influence levels. Eat a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods like fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Eat foods rich in potassium. Restrict alcohol.

Lifestyle Suggestions

• Manage stress. Do not smoke. Maintain a healthy weight. Practice deep breathing. Exercise for 30 minutes daily.

Medications

• You can take medications if lifestyle changes alone cannot lower blood pressure. They act in different ways; some reduce fluid volume of blood while other dilate arteries or relax blood vessels. Commonly prescribed medications include Capoten, Diovan, Lopressor and Procardia.