You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:.Your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/120 or higher).

For example, call if:Ĭall your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if: If it's still high or low, use the following guidance.Ĭall 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid. These medicines include certain asthma medicines and cold remedies.Ī low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Some medicines can cause your blood pressure to go up. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. What can cause blood pressure to go up or down? Your goal will be based on your health and your age. Your doctor will give you a goal for your blood pressure. The bottom number may be 80 or 90 or higher. For diagnosis, the top number may be 130 or 140 or higher. But if the top number stays high, or the bottom number stays high, or both, that means you have high blood pressure (hypertension). This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats. The second number is the diastolic pressure (bottom number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls as your heart pumps. The first number is the systolic pressure (top number). Blood pressure readings include two numbers. Overview What do your blood pressure numbers mean?īlood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries.

Blood pressure chart pdf file