Blood Pressure Category
The worse of the two numbers sets the stage. A perfectly normal systolic still lands in stage 2 if the diastolic is over 90, which is why looking at only one of them is misleading.
Your numbers
Result
2
Difference
8mmHg
Mean arterial pressure
97.3mmHg
What it means
Stage 1 hypertension (130–139 or 80–89) — recheck, and see a doctor if it persists.
Formula
Result = max( stage(Systolic), stage(Diastolic) )
One reading decides nothing. Take two measurements after sitting quietly for five minutes, on several different days, and use the average.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Systolic (mmHg)The higher reading, when the heart squeezes. | 128 | 0 ~ 260 |
| Diastolic (mmHg)The lower reading, when the heart relaxes. | 82 | 0 ~ 200 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Systolic (mmHg) changes and everything else stays put.
| Systolic (mmHg) | Result | Difference (mmHg) | Mean arterial pressure (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 2 | 0 | 76 |
| 96 | 2 | 0 | 86.7 |
| 128 | 2 | 8 | 97.3 |
| 192 | 4 | 72 | 118.7 |
| 256 | 4 | 136 | 140 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| ResultWhat the formula gives back — the answer this page is for. | 2 |
| Difference (mmHg)The gap between two values — a quantity, not a rate. | 8 |
| Mean arterial pressure (mmHg)Average pressure over one heartbeat — what the organs actually feel. | 97.3 |
Common mistakes
One reading decides nothing. Take two measurements after sitting quietly for five minutes, on several different days, and use the average.
Glossary
- Systolic
- The higher reading, when the heart squeezes.
- Diastolic
- The lower reading, when the heart relaxes.
- Result
- What the formula gives back — the answer this page is for.
- Difference
- The gap between two values — a quantity, not a rate.
- Mean arterial pressure
- Average pressure over one heartbeat — what the organs actually feel.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Blood Pressure Category calculated?
Result = max( stage(Systolic), stage(Diastolic) ) — The worse of the two numbers sets the stage. A perfectly normal systolic still lands in stage 2 if the diastolic is over 90, which is why looking at only one of them is misleading.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Systolic 128mmHg, Diastolic 82mmHg, the answer is Result 2.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Systolic, Diastolic. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Systolic (mmHg) moves the answer to Systolic (mmHg) 64 → Result 2 and Systolic (mmHg) 256 → Result 4. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
One reading decides nothing. Take two measurements after sitting quietly for five minutes, on several different days, and use the average.
Related calculators
These calculators help you understand health figures; they do not replace diagnosis or prescription. See a clinician if you have symptoms.