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Blood Pressure Zones
Category (AHA)
Clinical Context (AHA Guidelines)
According to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. If your systolic and diastolic readings fall into two different categories, your blood pressure category is designated by the higher of the two.
Common Blood Pressure Measurement Mistakes
- Not resting first: You should sit quietly for 5 minutes before taking a reading.
- Wrong cuff size: A cuff that is too small will result in an artificially high reading.
- Full bladder: A full bladder can add 10-15 mm Hg to your reading.