180/120 blood pressure
180/120 is severe. With chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, weakness, numbness, vision change or trouble speaking, call emergency services now. With none of these, rest for five minutes and measure again. If it stays this high, call your doctor today.
What it means
Systolic 180 or higher or diastolic 120 or higher. Rest five minutes and measure again. With chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or a change in vision, call emergency services. Both numbers fall in the same band here.
The other values
Pulse pressure, the gap between the two numbers, is 60. Mean arterial pressure is about 140.
When to act now
Chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, weakness, numbness, vision change or trouble speaking means call emergency services, whatever the number. If you are pregnant, 140/90 or higher after 20 weeks needs a call to your care team.
