High blood pressure for adults is divided into stages. At each stage, there is a greater risk to your health. A hypertensive crisis, which is measured at 180/120, is a sharp increase of blood pressure that may cause a stroke. Elevated Systolic 120-129 mm Hg Diastolic Less than 80 Stage 1 hypertension Systolic 130-139 mm Hg Diastolic 80-89 mm Hg Stage 2 hypertension Systolic 140 mm Hg and up Diastolic 90 mm Hg and up Hypertensive crisis Systolic 180 mm Hg and up Diastolic 120 mm Hg and up A consistent rise in your blood pressure over time comes with an increased risk to your health. Your healthcare provider is likely to respond in these ways: Elevated: You are likely to develop hypertension unless you take steps to control it. These may include lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, getting more exercise, and quitting smoking. Stage 1 hypertension: Your healthcare provider will probably recommend lifestyle changes. They may also prescribe medication, depending on your risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke. Stage 2 hypertension: Your healthcare provider will likely prescribe both medication and lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure. Hypertensive crisis: Seek medical attention right away if your blood pressure is this high. You could experience a heart attack, stroke, or something else that can damage your organs or threaten your life.