A normal blood pressure is 120/80 or less.
Blood pressures between 120-140 systolic (upper number) in considered “high normal” Although we don’t treat these people, we know that a number of them eventually develop hypertension and we want to watch them a little more closely over time.
Blood pressures over 140/90 on more than one occasion, with the patient sitting in an armed chair with their feet flat on the ground after resting for 5 minutes make a diagnosis of Hypertension. These people need treatment.
Once committed to therapy, a hypertensive (aka high blood pressure, “high blood” and the like) should have his blood pressure managed below 135/85.