Blood Pressure 120/79

A blood pressure reading of 120/79 indicates Pre-Hypertension or High Normal.

View the full blood pressure chart to learn more about blood pressure readings.

What does a blood pressure reading of 120/79 mean?

Readings above 120 systolic pressure indicate Pre-hypertension or High Normal blood pressure even if your diastolic pressure is between 60 and 79. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges.

Research suggests that people with pre-hypertension are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to those with lower blood pressure.

What to do if your blood pressure reading is 120/79

A blood pressure reading of 120/79 could be interpreted as warning sign since it’s on the high side of normal.

People with pre-hypertension often develop hypertension, so having your blood pressure checked regularly is important.

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Already on blood pressure medicine? If so, this level of blood pressure may be considered adequate, especially if your systolic (upper number) blood pressure is between 120 and 130.

Medications with Blood Pressure of 120/79

Most doctors don’t prescribe medication to treat pre-hypertension unless the patient has other medical conditions that would benefit from lower blood pressure. Instead, lifestyle changes including diet and exercise are recommended.

Lifestyle Changes with Blood Pressure of 120/79

Lifestyle modifications for those with a blood pressure of 120/79 include the following:

• Stop smoking
• Lose weight
• Increase exercise
• Lower salt intake
• Reduce caffeine
• Limit alcohol
• Alleviate stress

Review your medical plan with a doctor before pursuing lifestyle modifications since each patient may have specific medical conditions that make certain activities dangerous. For instance, your level of physical exercise might be limited by a heart condition.