Blood Pressure Category Calculator

About this calculator

This calculator classifies a systolic/diastolic blood pressure reading according to the American Heart Association (AHA) 2017 guidelines, which use five categories: Normal (under 120/80 mmHg), Elevated (120–129 systolic and under 80 diastolic), Hypertension Stage 1 (130–139 or 80–89), Hypertension Stage 2 (140+ or 90+), and Hypertensive Crisis (over 180 and/or over 120, which the AHA flags as requiring immediate medical attention).

The category is always driven by whichever number — systolic or diastolic — falls into the higher-risk band, since either one alone can push the classification up. These thresholds, lowered from the older 140/90 cutoff for hypertension in the 2017 update, are widely used by clinicians and home blood-pressure monitors to flag when lifestyle changes or medical follow-up may be warranted; this tool is informational only and not medical advice.