A home monitor like the SonoHealth BPpro is for tracking and awareness. It does not diagnose hypertension; that’s a conversation to have with your doctor using consistent readings over time.
What is the top (systolic) number?
The systolic number — the top one — is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pushes blood out. It’s the higher of the two and tends to rise with age as arteries stiffen. In older adults, a high systolic with a normal diastolic (isolated systolic hypertension) is the most common pattern.What is the bottom (diastolic) number?
The diastolic number — the bottom one — is the pressure in your arteries between beats, when the heart rests and refills. A high diastolic with a normal systolic (isolated diastolic hypertension) is more common in younger adults and still deserves attention.What counts as normal?
For most adults, normal is under 120/80 mmHg. See the full blood pressure categories for elevated and high ranges. Both numbers matter — a reading is considered high if either one is elevated.What is pulse pressure?
Pulse pressure is the gap between the two numbers (systolic minus diastolic). A typical value is around 40 mmHg. A persistently wide gap can reflect stiffer arteries with age, while a very narrow gap is less common — either is worth mentioning to your doctor rather than self-interpreting.Which number should I worry about more?
Both are important, and their relative importance shifts with age. Rather than fixating on one number, track both over time with good measurement technique and share consistent readings with your doctor.Related: Blood Pressure Categories · How to Measure at Home · When High Blood Pressure Is Dangerous · Normal Blood Pressure by Age