In Australia, normal blood pressure is generally below 120/80 mmHg, but ranges vary with age, typically increasing as you get older, with optimal for adults often cited as 120-129/80-84 mmHg, and anything over 140/90 mmHg considered high blood pressure (hypertension) for most adults, though younger individuals might have lower healthy ranges. A healthy reading depends on overall health, but generally, it's about 120/80 mmHg for young adults, rising slightly for middle-aged (around 124/77 mmHg for men, 122/74 mmHg for women), and potentially up to 130-139/85-89 mmHg (high normal) before being classified as high.
It's common for people to focus on the systolic number in a blood pressure reading since that's the maximum force exerted when the heart beats. However, the diastolic number is also important. So, is 140 over 70 a good blood pressure? No, because the 140 figure indicates high blood pressure.
"Stroke level" blood pressure is a hypertensive crisis, defined as a reading of 180/120 mmHg or higher, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate help (call 911 or emergency services) as it significantly increases the risk of a stroke, heart attack, or other life-threatening conditions, especially if accompanied by symptoms like severe headache, shortness of breath, or vision changes.
Yes, extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) can cause vomiting and sometimes diarrhea, often alongside severe headaches, confusion, dizziness, or vision changes, indicating damage to organs like the brain; while regular hypertension usually has no symptoms, these gastrointestinal issues signal a medical emergency requiring immediate care. Diarrhea can also stem from certain blood pressure medications or related electrolyte imbalances like high potassium (hyperkalemia), but severe vomiting with high BP needs urgent attention.
High blood pressure in pregnancy is generally defined as a systolic (top number) reading of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic (bottom number) reading of 90 mmHg or higher, confirmed on two occasions at least four hours apart, and developing after 20 weeks of pregnancy without a prior history of hypertension. This condition, known as gestational hypertension, differs from chronic hypertension (pre-existing high BP) or preeclampsia (high BP with signs of organ damage like protein in urine), and requires close monitoring.
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg is Stage 2 hypertension, which needs medical attention and lifestyle changes, but usually not an immediate hospital trip unless you have severe symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, or signs of stroke, in which case you should call for emergency help (like 911/000) immediately. For a single reading, it's best to recheck after relaxing and then contact your doctor for advice and follow-up, as persistent readings above 140/90 warrant a check-up to prevent long-term damage.
The current definition of preeclampsia includes blood pressure of 140/90 or greater and protein in the urine OR one or more indications of other organ failures (thrombocytopenia, liver, renal, pulmonary, cerebral or vision).
Severe Hypertension
If your readings are still high, call your health care professional. If your blood pressure is higher than 180 and/or 120 mm Hg and you have any of these symptoms, call 911: chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.
Blood pressure goes up and down throughout the day. But if it stays up, it's called high blood pressure. When blood pressure is high, over time it can harm organs throughout the body, including the brain, eyes, heart, and kidneys.
Experts think that sleep helps the body control hormones needed to control stress and metabolism. Over time, a lack of sleep could cause swings in hormones. Hormone changes can lead to high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease.
Other signs and symptoms may include:
If your home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) shows average blood pressure ranging between 135/85 mmHg to 149/94 mmHg, your medical team will diagnose stage 1 hypertension. “The treatment of your stage 1 hypertension will depend on your overall cardiovascular risk.
Having one and not knowing it. That's the case with what's known as a silent stroke. A silent stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or cut back, depriving brain cells of oxygen in the process.
Wrist and finger monitors are not recommended. They give less reliable readings. Choose a monitor that has been validated. If you are unsure, ask your health care professional or pharmacist for advice or find options at validatebp.org(link opens in new window).
The percentage of people in the United States with high blood pressure creeps up with each decade of life. Among women ages 20 to 34, 13% have hypertension; nearly 86% have the condition by their mid-70s. Men see a similar trajectory over that same time, increasing from about 26% to 80%.
At the beginning, measure your blood pressure at least twice daily. Take it first in the morning before eating or taking any medicine. Take it again in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are the same.
5 Major Organs Affected by High Blood Pressure
Research shows many adults start medication between the ages of 45 and 65. However, younger adults may need treatment earlier if they have severe hypertension or other risks. Your doctor will recommend starting based on consistent high readings, family history, and your overall cardiovascular health.
6 Silent Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can narrow and damage the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This damage is known as coronary artery disease. Too little blood flow to the heart can lead to chest pain, called angina.
a constant throbbing headache which may be worse in the morning, or when coughing or straining; it may improve when standing up. temporary loss of vision – your vision may become dark or "greyed out" for a few seconds at a time; this can be triggered by coughing, sneezing or bending down. feeling and being sick.
High blood pressure can disrupt the blood flow to your optic nerve, eventually leading to nerve damage, which can cause permanent vision loss. Keeping your blood pressure in check is crucial to lowering your risk of glaucoma, especially if you have other risk factors.
For many years pre eclampsia has been considered to be a two-stage disease. The first stage comprises poor placentation. The second stage is the clinical expression of the disease namely new hypertension and new proteinuria.
HELLP syndrome is a rare liver and blood clotting disorder that can affect pregnant women. It's most likely to occur immediately after the baby is delivered, but can appear any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and in rare cases before 20 weeks.
Along with high blood pressure, preeclampsia signs and symptoms may include: