Blood Pressure Normal Values -
Is my blood pressure normal?

The classification of blood pressure values has undergone changes repeatedly over the years. Not only is the threshold, up to which blood pressure is considered normal or non-critical, continually being revised downwards, but it is also classified differently in various countries and by different societies. To provide our customers with reliable and clear guidance, we have developed a scientifically based table with globally harmonized blood pressure normal values. For this, we systematically evaluated the current, sometimes divergent guidelines from leading international professional societies and developed a consistent classification based on this. We now apply this table in our app to enable you to accurately classify your values. You can find the detailed background on our methodology and the table itself in the following article "Harmonized Global Blood Pressure Normal Values"

In the present article, you will find the Blood Pressure Normal Value Table of DHL (German Hypertension League). Further down, you will find the latest developments regarding which blood pressure values are considered treatable. Depending on age and underlying conditions, the target values may well deviate from the normal values. This means that it is not always the goal to reach the normal value. Learn about the treatment guidelines in the following section.

Content

Blood Pressure
Table of Blood Pressure Normal Values According to DHL
Blood Pressure Calculator
Current Treatment Guidelines Including Target Values
Measuring Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force with which the heart pumps blood through the blood vessels of the body.
It is also referred to as arterial blood pressure, as the pressure in the arteries is measured. The value is typically given in two numbers.
The first value is the systolic pressure, and the second value is the diastolic pressure.
When the heart pumps blood into the circulation, the pressure is higher. This is referred to as systolic pressure.
The pressure while the heart is relaxed is referred to as diastolic pressure.

Blood Pressure Normal Value Table

Definitions and classification of blood pressure values according to the German Hypertension League:

	systolic (mmHg)	diastolic (mmHg)
optimal	< 120	< 80
normal	120-129	80-84
high normal	130-139	85-89
Hypertension Stage 1	140-159	90-99
Hypertension Stage 2	160-179	100-109
Hypertension Stage 3	>= 180	>= 110
Isolated Systolic Hypertension	>= 140	< 90

Blood Pressure Calculator

Blutdruck-Rechner:

Systolisch: mmHg
Diastolisch: mmHg

Der Rechner gibt eine Einschätzung des Blutdruckwerte nach der von uns entwickelten Tabelle für global harmonisierte Blutdruck-Normwerte. Der Blutdruck wird bestimmt nach optimal, normal, hochnormal oder Bluthochdruck (Hypertonie).
Eine solche automatische Bewertung kann niemals einen Arztbesuch ersetzen, da für die individuelle Blutdruckeinstellung auch weitere Erkrankungen und Risikofaktoren mit in das Behandlungskonzept eingebunden werden. Besprechen Sie fraglich erhöhte Blutdruckwerte also immer mit Ihrem Arzt.
Bitte beachten Sie auch, dass laut einigen Leitlinien bei häuslichen Messungen ein Blutdruck von >=135 und/oder >=85 mmHg als Bluthochdruck gilt.

Measurements Distributed Across Normal Values:

Use BloodPressureDB to record your blood pressure values. In addition to many other evaluations, you will also receive a statistic that shows all measurements distributed across the normal values. This way, you and your doctor can see progress in treatment.

Guidelines for the Treatment of Hypertension 2018 and 2023

The 2023 guidelines from the ESC/ESH (European Society of Cardiology / European Society of Hypertension) slightly change the target blood pressure values under therapy. The diastolic value should now be below 80 mmHg under therapy. For most hypertension patients, a reduction of blood pressure to below 140/80 mmHg is to be aimed for. However, since the cardiovascular risk is further minimized by a stronger reduction to values in the normal range of 120-129/70-79 mmHg, this should still be the goal if patients tolerate the medication and the lower blood pressure values well.
In 2024, the classification of the ESC/ESH changed again. Now, only a limit of 120/70 mmHg is specified, above which blood pressure is not considered elevated. Values of 120-139/70-89 mmHg are considered elevated, and from 140/90 mmHg, it is classified as hypertension. Since this classification no longer provides normal values for blood pressure and is not very differentiated, we do not use it for blood pressure classification.

As early as 2018, the guidelines from the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) stated that values below 140/90 mmHg should no longer be universally considered the target blood pressure for the majority of patients, regardless of their history and comorbidities such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Age is also taken into account in determining the target blood pressure.

In the 2018 guidelines, it is recommended that if pharmacological treatment of hypertension is necessary, it should be started directly with a dual combination therapy. Exceptions to this recommendation are elderly and frail patients, as well as patients with low risk and/or Grade 1 hypertension. the therapy should be reduced.

Furthermore, the personal responsibility of patients with hypertension regarding lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and relaxation should be discussed and promoted.

Measuring Blood Pressure

We have compiled some tips on what to pay attention to when measuring blood pressure. You can find these in our lexicon under Measuring Blood Pressure Correctly.

Please note that a single measurement - for example, during a doctor's appointment - is not sufficient to diagnose the presence of hypertension. Unless it is significantly elevated, such as Grade 3 hypertension, and there are clear indications of hypertension-related end-organ damage to, for example, the eyes, kidneys, etc. Therefore, if a single blood pressure measurement yields a result that does not correspond to a normal value, it is not yet a cause for concern. The diagnosis of hypertension should only be made after several elevated practice measurements on different days or home measurements over several days or with the help of an ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure measurement. Your doctor may therefore perform a long-term blood pressure measurement to also know the fluctuations in blood pressure throughout the day. In any case, careful measurement with a validated device is important. If you happen to notice that your blood pressure is outside the blood pressure normal values, please consult your doctor to clarify this.

Even with normal blood pressure values, regular monitoring should take place. With optimal blood pressure values (<120/80 mmHg), blood pressure should be measured at least every 5 years, and preferably more frequently when the opportunity arises. For normal blood pressure values (120-129/80-84 mmHg), a re-measurement is recommended after 3 years. For high-normal blood pressure (130-139/85-89 mmHg), blood pressure should be checked at least annually, as this often progresses to hypertension. To obtain an evaluation of values that require monitoring over a longer period, it is advisable to keep a blood pressure log. In this, blood pressure is measured regularly and recorded. According to guidelines, measurements should be taken three times at intervals of one to two minutes. Additional measurements should only be taken if the first two measurements differ by > 10 mmHg. Such an evaluation provides the doctor with a good diagnostic aid or supports therapy control. BloodPressureDB was specifically developed for this purpose. The measured values can be quickly and conveniently stored almost anywhere (PC, smartphone, tablet) and are presented in a meaningful diagram. This facilitates the doctor's diagnosis and therapy control and thus helps him in the individual treatment of your hypertension.

Sources:

This article is published by BloodPressureDB.
The BloodPressureDB team has been known for its high expertise on the topic of high blood pressure on the German internet since 2009. The associated app is consulted daily by hundreds of thousands of users. All articles are extensively researched and created based on scientific facts. These facts are regularly checked and articles are updated to the latest standards.
Last update 04/2025

Blood Pressure Normal Values - Is my blood pressure normal?