What Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Numbers Mean...

Most people have a sense of their blood pressure and cholesterol, but what do they mean? Higher blood pressure is bad, but lower cholesterol is good, right? We’ve compiled a handy print-out for you to refer to. Download it here.

Blood Pressure: Your blood pressure has two numbers. The top one is always the bigger number, and it is called your “systolic blood pressure”. The bottom is the “diastolic blood pressure”.

Systolic: The maximum pressure in your heartbeat.

  • 119 or lower: Good/safe

  • 120-129: Slightly high

  • 130-139: Moderately high

  • 140-159: High

  • 160 or higher: Very high

Diastolic: The maximum pressure in the arteries between beats.

  • 79 or lower: Good/safe

  • 80-89: Moderately high

  • 90-99: High

  •  100 of higher: Very High

You can track your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure cuff, at a pharmacy, or at a medical appointment. Readings out of the good/safe range should prompt a check-in with your doctor. You can send a message using MyChart or set an appointment. If you are experiencing other symptoms, get medical help right away.

Cholesterol: The ranges shown below are considered ‘normal’ for adults, but your doctor may offer more specific guidance based on your health. It takes a lab test to obtain these numbers, so at Oregon Medical Group you’ll have help interpreting:

  • Total cholesterol = Less than 200 mg/dL

  • HDL “good” cholesterol = 40 mg/dL or higher for men, 50 mg/dL or higher for women

  • LDL “bad” cholesterol = Less than 100 mg/dL

  • Triglycerides = Less than 150 mg/dL

Healthy LivingCatherine Hamilton