About the Blood Pressure Checker
A free, instant tool that categorises a blood pressure reading you measured into the standard AHA 2025 bands — a reference, not a diagnosis.
What it is
The Blood Pressure Checker takes a systolic and diastolic value you measured with your own blood pressure monitor or cuff, and tells you which standard category that reading falls into according to the American Heart Association's 2025 guidelines. The categories are: Normal, Elevated, Stage 1 Hypertension, Stage 2 Hypertension, and Hypertensive Crisis.
When systolic and diastolic fall in different categories, the tool uses the higher category — which is standard clinical practice. Everything runs in your browser; your numbers are never stored or sent anywhere.
What it does not do
Does not measure blood pressure
A web page cannot measure blood pressure. You must take a reading with a separate device — a validated home cuff or a clinical measurement — and enter those numbers here.
Does not diagnose
A single reading is not a diagnosis. Blood pressure varies through the day; a real hypertension diagnosis requires repeated measurements over time by a healthcare professional.
Does not store or track readings
Nothing is saved, logged, or sent to a server. This tool does not keep a history, a trend, or any record of readings you enter.
Does not advise treatment
The tool shows a category, not advice. Never start, stop, or change medication or any treatment based on a category shown here — speak with a doctor.
The AHA 2025 blood pressure categories
Normal
Systolic below 120 mmHg AND diastolic below 80 mmHg. Both conditions must be met.
Elevated
Systolic 120–129 mmHg AND diastolic below 80 mmHg. Both conditions must be met; elevated applies to systolic only.
Stage 1 Hypertension
Systolic 130–139 mmHg OR diastolic 80–89 mmHg. Either condition qualifies; the higher category is used when they differ.
Stage 2 Hypertension
Systolic 140 mmHg or higher OR diastolic 90 mmHg or higher. Either condition qualifies.
Hypertensive Crisis
Systolic above 180 mmHg AND/OR diastolic above 120 mmHg. Takes precedence over all other categories. Requires urgent attention — see emergency guidance.
Higher-category rule
Standard clinical practice: when systolic and diastolic fall in different bands, the result shows the higher of the two categories.
Source: American Heart Association fact sheet (heart.org) and the 2025 AHA/ACC hypertension guideline.
Hypertensive crisis — emergency guidance
If a reading falls in the hypertensive crisis range (systolic above 180 and/or diastolic above 120), the tool shows a prominent emergency block above the category result. The block presents two messages:
- No symptoms: contact your healthcare professional now.
- Symptoms present (chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or trouble speaking): call emergency services — 911 or your local equivalent — immediately.
This guidance is a general reference only. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
Why a single reading isn't a diagnosis
Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day in response to activity, stress, caffeine, posture, the time of day, and many other factors. A reading taken after exercise or in a stressful moment will differ from one taken at rest. For this reason, a formal diagnosis of hypertension requires multiple readings taken under standardised conditions by a healthcare professional, not a single home measurement.
The category shown by this tool is a general reference — a way to understand where a single reading sits relative to the AHA scale. It is not a clinical finding.
Disclaimer
This tool categorises a blood pressure reading you measured with a separate device — it cannot measure your blood pressure. Categories are general reference based on American Heart Association 2025 guidelines and are not a diagnosis. Blood pressure varies with time of day, activity, stress, and other factors; a real diagnosis requires repeated measurements taken by a healthcare professional. For a hypertensive crisis reading (systolic above 180 and/or diastolic above 120), seek urgent professional advice; call emergency services immediately if you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, or weakness. Never start, stop, or change medication or treatment based on this tool — speak with a doctor.
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Open the Blood Pressure Checker