Blood Pressure (Diastolic)

Many things can change your blood pressure, causing it to rise or fall throughout the day.

If your blood pressure is high on several different measurements on different days, you might have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Around half of American adults have high blood pressure. It increases the risk of life-threatening conditions, including heart attack and stroke. But high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. A blood pressure measurement helps diagnose high blood pressure early, so it may be treated before it leads to serious complications.

Your results, also known as a blood pressure reading, will contain two numbers. The top or first number is the systolic pressure. The bottom or second number is the diastolic pressure. Blood pressure readings are also labeled by categories, ranging from normal to crisis. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Your blood pressure measurement can go up and down. Your provider will only usually diagnose you with high blood pressure if you have two or more high blood pressure readings on different days. They may also consider your blood pressure readings over a period of time, your medical and family history, and if you have other symptoms before diagnosing you with high blood pressure.

If your child is younger than 13, your provider will compare their blood pressure readings with what is common for children the same age, sex, and height.