When you go to the doctors, whether it is for a general check up or because you are ill, one thing you can count on is that you are going to have your blood pressure taken. Most of the time, the nurse that takes your blood pressure will just tell you what the numbers are and then you might have to ask if it is a good blood pressure. If there is a chart in the room, you will be able to check for yourself. Your blood pressure tells the doctor a lot about what is going on with you and it is something that should be monitored on a fairly regular basis,

It is probably a good idea to make sure that you are fairly familiar with the chart so that you always know how good of health you are in. Sometimes, you just need that little bit of reassurance that you have good blood pressure. Once you have been given your numbers, you will want to look at the blood pressure chart to see where you stand. If your top number is below 120 and the bottom number is below 80 then you have a normal pressure. Continue doing what you are doing.

If you have a top number that is between 120 and 139 or have a bottom number that is between 80 and 89 than you have what is prehypertension. If this is the case for you, you will need to adopt more of a healthier lifestyle than what you are leading now. Look on the chart and if your top number falls between 140 and 159 or the bottom number is between 90 and 99, you have what is referred to as Stage 1 hypertension. If this is where your numbers fall, you will need to adapt a healthier lifestyle.

If you do not see any progression within six months, you will need to speak with your doctor about starting a blood medication. Then there is stage 2 hypertension which is where your top number is 160 or more or your bottom number is 100 or more. If this is your reading, you will need to speak with your doctor about starting a few medications to get the situation under control.

Those that is in the warning areas and who have chronic kidney disease, heart disease or diabetes need to make sure that aggressive action is taken in order to get yourself back to having good health.

Of course, these ranges found on the common blood pressure chart are for adults. Children and teenagers may have lower ranges. If you are concerned about the blood pressure of your child, make sure that you are discussing this with your child's doctor.