BPTrack Reference Library
25+ reference tables from American Heart Association and CDC sources. Blood pressure categories, thresholds, age-adjusted ranges, and clinical context — built into every session.
AHA Blood Pressure Categories
The American Heart Association defines five blood pressure categories. Each carries different clinical guidance and risk implications.
Normal
LowSystolic: Under 120 mmHg / Diastolic: Under 80 mmHg
Maintain with healthy diet, regular exercise, and low sodium intake. Get checked once every two years if you have no other risk factors.
Elevated
ModerateSystolic: 120–129 mmHg / Diastolic: Under 80 mmHg
Lifestyle changes recommended — reduce sodium, increase activity, manage weight. Doctor may monitor more frequently. Not yet treated with medication in most cases.
Stage 1 Hypertension
Moderate-HighSystolic: 130–139 mmHg / Diastolic: 80–89 mmHg
Talk to your doctor. Lifestyle changes are the first step. Medication may be added depending on cardiovascular risk factors and overall health profile.
Stage 2 Hypertension
HighSystolic: 140 or higher mmHg / Diastolic: 90 or higher mmHg
Medication is typically prescribed alongside lifestyle changes. Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments are essential. Do not manage this alone.
Hypertensive Crisis
EmergencySystolic: Over 180 mmHg / Diastolic: Over 120 mmHg
Seek emergency medical care immediately. Wait five minutes and retest — if still elevated, call 911 or get to an ER. Do not drive yourself. Do not wait to see if it comes down.
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
SituationalSystolic: Under 90 mmHg / Diastolic: Under 60 mmHg
May be normal for some people. Symptomatic hypotension — dizziness, fainting, blurred vision — warrants evaluation. Can be caused by dehydration, medication, or underlying conditions.
Source: American Heart Association. Always consult your doctor for personal medical guidance.
Additional Reference Tables in the App
The BPTrack app includes 25+ tables beyond the five AHA categories. A preview of what's inside.
Age-adjusted ranges
Blood pressure norms shift with age. What's normal at 25 differs from what's expected at 65. These tables give AHA-referenced ranges by decade.
Pulse pressure
The difference between systolic and diastolic. Widening pulse pressure can indicate arterial stiffness. Tables include normal ranges and what elevated readings suggest.
Orthostatic blood pressure
How readings change when standing from sitting or lying. A drop of 20+ mmHg systolic on standing may indicate orthostatic hypotension — common in older adults and those on certain medications.
White coat hypertension
Readings taken in a clinical setting are often higher than at home due to anxiety. The AHA recommends home monitoring to compare. These tables explain the discrepancy and what to do about it.
Isolated systolic hypertension
When only the top number is elevated (140+ systolic with normal diastolic). More common in older adults and carries its own risk profile. Tables include thresholds and treatment guidance.
Ambulatory monitoring reference
24-hour BP monitoring gives a fuller picture than a single office reading. These tables include daytime, nighttime, and 24-hour average thresholds used in clinical interpretation.
How to get an accurate reading
The reading is only as useful as the technique. Most home measurements are taken incorrectly. These four habits fix most of the common errors.
Measure at the same time each day
Morning readings before food or medication, and evening readings before bed, give you the most consistent baseline. Time of day affects blood pressure significantly.
Sit quietly for five minutes first
Walking, stress, caffeine, and exercise all temporarily elevate readings. The AHA recommends sitting quietly for five minutes before taking your blood pressure.
Take two readings, two minutes apart
Average the two readings for the most accurate picture. If they differ by more than 5 mmHg, take a third and average all three.
Use the right cuff size
An undersized cuff reads high. An oversized cuff reads low. The cuff bladder should cover 80% of your upper arm circumference. Most home monitors come with standard and large cuffs.
Search the full database. Log your readings.
The BPTrack app has all 25+ reference tables with full-text search, plus a daily reading log, 30-day trend chart, and doctor-ready PDF export. Free to download. $6.99 one-time for the log and export.
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