Is a blood pressure reading of 140 mmHg systolic and 91 mmHg diastolic normal?
Nov 12, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Xin
Introduction
In general, the higher number in a blood pressure reading refers to systolic pressure, while the lower number refers to diastolic pressure. A blood pressure reading of 140 mmHg systolic and 91 mmHg diastolic may or may not be normal, depending on the individual circumstances. Patients with high blood pressure should seek medical evaluation promptly to determine the underlying cause and receive standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance to avoid delaying proper management of the condition.
Under normal circumstances, the "high" blood pressure refers to systolic pressure, while the "low" blood pressure refers to diastolic pressure. A systolic pressure of 140 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 91 mmHg may be abnormal or normal depending on the situation. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Abnormal
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. When this pressure remains elevated beyond the normal range due to various factors, it is considered hypertension. The normal blood pressure range for adults is systolic pressure between 90–139 mmHg and diastolic pressure between 60–89 mmHg. If both the patient's systolic and diastolic pressures exceed these normal ranges, this indicates Stage 1 hypertension. It is recommended that patients follow medical advice and use antihypertensive medications such as nifedipine tablets, amlodipine besylate tablets, or labetalol hydrochloride tablets as prescribed.
2. Normal
However, the diagnosis of hypertension typically requires three or more consecutive blood pressure measurements taken at intervals of 1 to 2 minutes. The average of these readings is calculated to determine the patient's actual blood pressure. If the reading of 140 mmHg systolic and 91 mmHg diastolic was obtained from only a single measurement, it might still fall within the normal variation. In such cases, it is recommended to take three separate measurements and use the average value.
Hypertensive patients should seek timely medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receive standardized treatment under a physician’s guidance to avoid delays in managing the condition. During treatment, patients should ensure adequate rest, avoid excessive fatigue, and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
