A blood pressure reading has two numbers: systolic (the pressure when your heart beats) over diastolic (the pressure when it rests between beats). A normal reading is generally around 120/80 mmHg.
Readings consistently above 130/80 mmHg are considered elevated, and your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medication depending on your overall risk. A single high reading isn't usually cause for alarm, but a pattern over time is worth discussing.
Home monitoring can be a useful way to track trends between visits — just make sure to measure at the same time of day and after a few minutes of rest for the most accurate results.
