what does top number of blood pressure mean
The top number refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during contraction of your heart muscle; this is called âsystolicâ pressure. The bottom number refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats; this is called âdiastolicâ pressure.For a normal reading, your blood pressure needs to show a top number thatâs lower than 120, and a bottom number thatâs lower than 80.When both your systolic and diastolic numbers are in these ranges, then you are considered by the American Heart Association (AHA) to be within the normal range for blood pressure.or a normal reading, your blood pressure needs to show a top number thatâs lower than 120, and a bottom number thatâs lower than 80. When both your systolic and diastolic numbers are in these ranges, then you are considered by the American Heart Association (AHA) to be within the normal range for blood pressure.