Rating Systolic Diastolic Optimal <120 <80 Normal <130 <85 High Normal 130-139 85-89 Hypertension Stage 1 140-159 90-99 Hypertension Stage 2 160-179 100-109 Hypertension Stage 3 >179 >109 For example: 122/76 (122 over 76); systolic = 122, diastolic = 76. Blood pressure of less than 140 over 90 is considered a normal reading for adults. A systolic pressure of 130 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 85 to 89 needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading equal to or greater than 140 (systolic) over 90 (diastolic) is considered elevated (high).In some people, the system that regulates blood pressure goes awry: arteries throughout the body stay constricted, driving up the pressure in the larger blood vessels. Sustained high blood pressure - above 140/90 mm Hg, according to most experts - is called hypertension http://www.monitorbloodpressure.com/numbers.html