What is the upper limit of normal blood pressure?

The upper limit of normal blood pressure is considered to be 140/90 mmHg, which is classified as the threshold for hypertension in many guidelines. This range indicates that while the systolic pressure (the top number) should ideally be below 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure (the bottom number) below 90 mmHg, maintaining values within this limit allows for proper cardiovascular functioning and overall health. It reflects stage one hypertension when the measurements are consistently at or above this threshold.

Understanding blood pressure readings is crucial, as they indicate the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, and exceeding the normal upper limit can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and other significant health issues. Hence, recognizing 140/90 mmHg as the upper limit of normal helps healthcare providers to assess and manage patients accordingly.