Blood Pressure Category Calculator
Enter a systolic and diastolic reading to see its American Heart Association category, from normal to hypertensive crisis.
Calculator by Toolsloft ↗- Category
- Hypertension stage 1
The same reading can fall in different categories depending on whether the top or bottom number is higher. This tool applies the American Heart Association rules to your systolic and diastolic values and tells you which category the reading lands in.
How this is calculated
Categories follow the 2017 American Heart Association guideline. A crisis is a systolic above 180 or diastolic above 120. Stage 2 hypertension is 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic. Stage 1 is 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic. Elevated is 120 to 129 systolic with a diastolic under 80. Anything lower is normal. The higher of the two categories always wins.
How to use
- Take your blood pressure or read it from a recent measurement.
- Enter the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers.
- Read the category the reading falls into.
Examples
- 118 / 75:
Normal - 135 / 85:
Hypertension stage 1 - 185 / 125:
Hypertensive crisis
FAQ
- What if my two numbers fall in different categories?
- The guideline uses the higher category. A reading of 135 over 75 is stage 1 because the systolic number reaches that range, even though the diastolic is normal.
- What should I do about a hypertensive crisis reading?
- A reading above 180 over 120 needs prompt medical attention, especially with symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. This tool is for reference and does not replace medical care.