Blood Pressure Checker

The Blood Pressure Checker is a free tool that categorizes your blood pressure reading based on the American Heart Association's guidelines — from Normal to Hypertensive Crisis. Nearly half of American adults (47%, approximately 116 million people) have hypertension, and many don't know it. Enter your systolic and diastolic numbers to see which category your reading falls into, what it means for your health, and what steps to consider.

Track multiple readings over time with the built-in history log. Once you've logged three or more readings, the tool generates a line chart showing your blood pressure trends, making it easy to spot patterns and share meaningful data with your healthcare provider.

Enter your systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure reading. The tool instantly categorizes it as Normal (<120/80), Elevated (120-129/<80), Stage 1 Hypertension (130-139/80-89), Stage 2 Hypertension (≥140/≥90), or Hypertensive Crisis (>180/>120) with a color-coded display and explanation.

The visual gauge shows exactly where your reading falls on the spectrum from healthy green through warning yellow and orange to critical red. Each category includes actionable guidance about what the reading means and what to discuss with your doctor.

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers. The systolic number (top) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, while the diastolic number (bottom) measures pressure between beats when your heart is resting. Both numbers matter for your overall cardiovascular health.

When systolic and diastolic readings fall into different categories, the higher category applies. For example, a reading of 135/75 would be classified as Stage 1 Hypertension based on the systolic number, even though the diastolic falls in the normal range. This conservative approach ensures potentially elevated readings are not overlooked.

Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day based on activity, stress, caffeine intake, and many other factors. A single reading is a snapshot, not a diagnosis. The AHA recommends multiple readings taken on separate occasions before drawing conclusions. Use the log feature in this tool to track your readings over time and bring that history to your next doctor's appointment.

For the most accurate home readings, sit quietly for five minutes before measuring. Keep your feet flat on the floor, your back supported, and your arm at heart level. Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Take two or three readings one minute apart and record the average.

Use a validated, properly sized cuff on your upper arm. Wrist and finger monitors are generally less accurate. The AHA recommends taking readings at the same time each day, ideally morning and evening, to build a reliable picture of your typical blood pressure levels.