What is a cross range blood pressure reading?
A cross range blood pressure reading occurs when your systolic and diastolic readings fall into different ranges.
What Blood Pressure Numbers Mean
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing on arterial walls. It’s measured using two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The first or upper number is called systolic blood pressure. This measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats and is pumping blood.
The second or lower number is called diastolic blood pressure. This measures the pressure in your blood vessels between beats when your heart is at rest.
So a reading of 121 systolic and 82 diastolic would be 121 over 82 or 121/82.
Cross Range Blood Pressure Ranges
A reading of 177 systolic and 78 diastolic would be 177 over 78 or 177/78. In this instance, the systolic reading is high risk while the diastolic reading is normal.
When the readings are in different ranges you generally use the one that is worse. So in this case, a reading of 177/78 would be considered high risk.
Use the blood pressure ranges below that fall outside of the normal blood pressure chart to help understand your blood pressure reading.
- 181/100 – 230/110
- 181/90 – 230/99
- 181/80 – 230/89
- 160/90 – 180/99
- 160/80 – 180/89
- 160/60 – 180-79
- 140/80 – 159/89
- 140/60 – 159/79
- 120/60 – 139/79
- 91/50 – 119/60
Hypertensive Crisis (Seek Emergency Care)
Range | Summary |
181/100 – 230/110 | Readings above 180 systolic pressure indicate a hypertensive crisis even if your diastolic pressure is below 110. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges. Blood pressure readings in this range put you at the highest risk for heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening issues. Extremely high blood pressure can cause headache, nausea, vision changes, mental confusion, chest pain and shortness of breath. It is considered a hypertensive emergency if you have a blood pressure reading over 185/110 combined with any of these symptoms. Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Doctors may also diagnose you with hypertensive urgency when you don’t have any symptoms but your blood pressure remains high. Whether a hypertensive emergency or hypertensive urgency, it’s important to bring your blood pressure down as soon as possible. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 230/110, 230/105, 230/100, 225/110, 225/105, 225/100, 220/110, 220/105, 220/100, 215/110, 215/105, 215/100, 210/110, 210/105, 210/100, 205/110, 205/105, 205/100, 200/110, 200/105, 200/100, 195/110, 195/105, 195/100, 190/110, 190/105, 190/100, 185/110, 185/105, 185/100 |
Hypertensive Crisis (Seek Emergency Care)
Range | Summary |
181/90 – 230/99 | Readings above 180 systolic pressure indicate a hypertensive crisis even if your diastolic pressure is between 90 and 99. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges. Blood pressure readings in this range put you at the highest risk for heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening issues. Extremely high blood pressure can cause headache, nausea, vision changes, mental confusion, chest pain and shortness of breath. It is considered a hypertensive emergency if you have a blood pressure reading over 185/110 combined with any of these symptoms. Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Doctors may also diagnose you with hypertensive urgency when you don’t have any symptoms but your blood pressure remains high. Whether a hypertensive emergency or hypertensive urgency, it’s important to bring your blood pressure down as soon as possible. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 230/95, 230/90, 225/95, 225/90, 220/95, 220/90, 215/95, 215/90, 210/95, 210/90, 205/95, 205/90, 200/95, 200/90, 195/95, 195/90, 190/95, 190/90, 185/95, 185/90 |
Hypertensive Crisis (Seek Emergency Care)
Range | Summary |
181/80 – 230/89 | Readings above 180 systolic pressure indicate a hypertensive crisis even if your diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges. Blood pressure readings in this range put you at the highest risk for heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening issues. Extremely high blood pressure can cause headache, nausea, vision changes, mental confusion, chest pain and shortness of breath. It is considered a hypertensive emergency if you have a blood pressure reading over 185/110 combined with any of these symptoms. Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Doctors may also diagnose you with hypertensive urgency when you don’t have any symptoms but your blood pressure remains high. Whether a hypertensive emergency or hypertensive urgency, it’s important to bring your blood pressure down as soon as possible. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 230/85, 230/80, 225/85, 225/80, 220/85, 220/80, 215/85, 215/80, 210/85, 210/80, 205/85, 205/80, 200/85, 200/80, 195/85, 195/80, 190/85, 190/80, 185/85, 185/80 |
Stage 2 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure and High Risk)
Range | Summary |
160/90 – 180/99 | Readings above 160 systolic pressure indicate Stage 2 Hypertension even if your diastolic pressure is between 90 and 99. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges. Hypertension means the force of the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than normal. Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range indicates the need to adjust your blood pressure medications. Blood pressure readings in this range put you at higher risk for life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. It’s important to your health to lower your blood pressure through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 180/95, 180/90, 175/95, 175/90, 170/95, 170/90, 165/95, 165/90, 160/95, 160/90 |
Stage 2 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure and High Risk)
Range | Summary |
160/80 – 180/89 | Readings above 160 systolic pressure indicate Stage 2 Hypertension even if your diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges. Hypertension means the force of the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than normal. Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range indicates the need to adjust your blood pressure medications. Blood pressure readings in this range put you at higher risk for life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. It’s important to your health to lower your blood pressure through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 180/85, 180/80, 175/85, 175/80, 170/85, 170/80, 165/85, 165/80, 160/85, 160/80 |
Stage 2 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure and High Risk)
Range | Summary |
160/60 – 180/79 | Readings above 160 systolic pressure indicate Stage 2 Hypertension 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. Hypertension means the force of the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than normal. Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range indicates the need to adjust your blood pressure medications. Blood pressure readings in this range put you at higher risk for life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. It’s important to your health to lower your blood pressure through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 180/75, 180/70, 180/65, 180/60, 175/75, 175/70, 175/65, 175/60, 170/75, 170/70, 170/65, 170/60, 165/75, 165/70, 165/65, 165/60, 160/75, 160/70, 160/65, 160/60 |
Stage 1 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Range | Summary |
140/80 – 159/89 | Readings above 140 systolic pressure indicate Stage 1 Hypertension even if your diastolic pressure is between 80 and 89. This is because the worse reading is used when systolic and diastolic pressure fall into different ranges. Hypertension increases your risk of life-threatening problems such as heart attacks and stroke. Blood pressure in this range may also damage the heart and kidneys, particularly in those who already have chronic medical problems affecting these organs. Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range may indicate the need to adjust your blood pressure medications. Elevated blood pressure should be confirmed on at least 3 separate days before diagnosing hypertension. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 155/85, 155/80, 150/85, 150/80, 145/85, 145/80, 140/85, 140/80 |
Stage 1 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Range | Summary |
140/60 – 159/79 | Readings above 140 systolic pressure indicate Stage 1 Hypertension 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. Hypertension increases your risk of life-threatening problems such as heart attacks and stroke. Blood pressure in this range may also damage the heart and kidneys, particularly in those who already have chronic medical problems affecting these organs. Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range may indicate the need to adjust your blood pressure medications. Elevated blood pressure should be confirmed on at least 3 separate days before diagnosing hypertension. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 155/75, 155/70, 155/65, 155/60, 150/75, 150/70, 150/65, 150/60, 145/75, 145/70, 145/65, 145/60, 140/75, 140/70, 140/65, 140/60 |
Pre-hypertension or High Normal
Range | Summary |
120/60 – 139/79 | 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. The good news is you don’t have hypertension. However, your blood pressure is higher than recommended for most adults. Research suggests that people with pre-hypertension are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to those with lower blood pressure. People with pre-hypertension often develop hypertension, so having your blood pressure checked regularly is important. 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. However, many 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. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 135/75, 135/70, 135/65, 135/60, 130/75, 130/70, 130/65, 130/60, 125/75, 125/70, 125/65, 125/60, 120/75, 120/70, 120/65, 120/60 |
Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
Range | Summary |
91/50 – 119/60 | Readings where the systolic pressure is normal (between 91 and 119) but diastolic pressure is between 50 and 60 indicate low blood pressure or what is called Hypotension. What this means is the blood pressure in your arteries is lower than what is considered normal. However, there’s usually no need to be concerned about low blood pressure unless you’re experiencing dizziness, fainting, nausea or fatigue. Hypotension may not even be diagnosed unless you’re experiencing these symptoms. You may get low blood pressure as a side effect of certain medications. Already on blood pressure medication? If so it may be working too well and should be adjusted. Click on the link that most closely matches your reading to learn more about what your blood pressure reading means and what you can do about it. Specific Blood Pressure Readings: 115/60, 115/55, 115/50, 110/60, 110/55, 110/50, 105/60, 105/55, 105/50, 100/60, 100/55, 100/50, 95/60, 95/55, 95/50 |