Having blood pressure higher than normal can signify many things. There are four ranges of blood pressure above normal including elevated. Therefore, what is the elevated blood pressure range?

The elevated blood pressure range is when systolic blood pressure is between 120-129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure is the category above normal and before high blood pressure stage 1 on the blood pressure chart.

This article will inform you about the elevated blood pressure range in detail. In addition, how to know if you have elevated pressure and what you can expect from your physician if you do.

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The Elevated Blood Pressure Range

There are 5 blood pressure ranges and elevated blood pressure is the 2nd category on the blood pressure chart. It’s right after the normal blood pressure range and just before high blood pressure stage 1.

The elevated blood pressure range is when systolic blood pressure is 120-129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg. Therefore, a blood pressure reading of 120/79 would fall into the elevated blood pressure category.

It’s important to note both blood pressure numbers have to be in the ranges listed above. If only one number falls into the range and the other one doesn’t, it means the blood pressure range is other than elevated¹.

I wrote an article in this same website that covers the blood pressure chart in full detail. If you’re interested, you can check it out by clicking here Blood Pressure Chart.

Elevated Blood Pressure Range Facts

• Many people with elevated blood pressure don’t know they have it. Often the signs and symptoms are misunderstood².
• Elevated blood pressure develops slowly over time and can be related to many causes.
• Elevated blood pressure can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes.
• People with blood pressure in the elevated range are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to manage it.
• Typically, physicians will inform patients with elevated blood pressure to make lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes include:
  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Stress management
  • Ending bad habits

How To Know If You Have Elevated Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure is when your systolic number is consistently between 120-129 and your diastolic number is than 80³.

A diagnosis of elevated blood pressure must be made by a physician. An evaluation will be made of consistently elevated blood pressure readings measured 2 or 3 times on 2 or more different occasions ((AHA Journals Hypertension: 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines)).

Be sure to undergo regular physicals as directed by your physician. While you’re there they will check and monitor your blood pressure.

If you already have elevated blood pressure or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease you might need more frequent readings⁴.

You can monitor your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitoring device. The 2017 new blood pressure guidelines are encouraging people to do this.

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Elevated Blood Pressure Range Risk Factors

The following are risk factors which can cause elevated blood pressure:

• Age
• Family history
• Gender
• Race
• Chronic kidney disease
• Nutrition
• Lack of physical exercise
• Obesity
• Excess alcohol
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Lack of sleep
• Sleep Apnea
• Stress

Consequences of Having Blood Pressure in the Elevated Range

The following are consequences of having elevated blood pressure:

• Having elevated blood pressure increases the risk of developing high blood pressure.
• Having high blood pressure increases the risk of the following:
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney failure or disease
  • Vision loss
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Peripheral artery disease

Elevated blood pressure is not high blood pressure, that’s good news. Follow the physician’s recommendations and do your best to manage it before it gets there⁵.

Related Questions

What is the difference between elevated and high blood pressure ranges? The difference is elevated blood pressure is a systolic number 120-129 mm Hg and a diastolic number less than 80 mm Hg. The high blood pressure range is a systolic number 140 or higher or a diastolic number of 80-89 mm Hg.

What is systolic elevated blood pressure? Systolic elevated blood pressure is a blood pressure reading with a systolic blood pressure number 120-129 mm Hg.

Next – Read About More BP Ranges

High Blood Pressure Stage 1 – The 1st High BP Range

High Blood Pressure Stage 2 – The More Serious High BP Range

Normal Blood Pressure – Surprisingly It’s Not 120 Over 80

Hypertensive Crisis – You’re Calling 911 or a Doctor!

Isolated Systolic Hypertension (High BloodPressure)

1. The American College of Cardiology: New ACC/AHA High Blood Pressure Guidelines Lower Definition of Hypertension [↩]
2. The American Heart Association: Why High Blood Pressure is a “Silent Killer” [↩]
3. American Heart Association: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings [↩]
4. Harvard Health: Reading the new blood pressure guidelines [↩]
5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: High Blood Pressure [↩]