Nigeria
Blood pressure chart: normal, elevated and hypertensive readings by age
Hypertension is the single largest driver of stroke and heart failure in Nigeria, and it is symptomless until it is not. The chart below uses the ACC/AHA categories, which treat anything at or above 130/80 mmHg as hypertension.
Adult blood pressure categories (ACC/AHA)
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below 120 | and | Below 80 |
| Elevated | 120 – 129 | and | Below 80 |
| Hypertension stage 1 | 130 – 139 | or | 80 – 89 |
| Hypertension stage 2 | 140 and above | or | 90 and above |
| Hypertensive crisis | Above 180 | and/or | Above 120 |
Age does not change the target
There is no separate, higher 'normal' for older adults. Blood pressure rises with age on average, but the risk attached to a given reading rises with it — the categories above apply to all adults. Treatment targets can be individualised by a clinician; the screening thresholds are not.
How to measure so the number means something
Sit for five minutes first, back supported, feet flat, arm at heart level, cuff on bare skin and correctly sized. No caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes. Take two readings a minute apart and record the average. Readings taken standing at a pharmacy counter after a rushed journey routinely read high.
Anything above 180/120 is urgent
A reading above 180 systolic or 120 diastolic needs immediate medical attention, particularly with chest pain, breathlessness, weakness on one side or visual change. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment.
One reading is not a diagnosis
Hypertension is diagnosed from repeated readings over time, ideally including home measurements. Log yours here and the trend chart shows whether the average is genuinely moving, which is the number a clinician will want to see.
Keep reading
Educational only. Reference ranges are general guidance and are not a diagnosis — take your results to a qualified clinician.
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