Blood Pressure Category Checker (KSH 2022)

What it is

This checker takes the two numbers from a blood pressure monitor and tells you where they sit in the adult classification of the Korean Society of Hypertension (KSH) 2022 guideline. That table is published on the National Health Information Portal of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and it splits readings into five categories: normal, elevated, prehypertension (also called high-normal), stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension.

Besides the category, you see which of your two numbers decided it, whether the reading also meets the definition of isolated systolic hypertension, and the full table with your row marked. The page opens with an example reading of 128/78. Everything is calculated in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Please read the result as a reference point for self-checking. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a visit to a doctor. Also keep in mind that this is specifically the Korean classification. Guidelines in other countries draw the lines differently, so your doctor may use other labels.

How to use

1. Type the top number from your monitor (systolic) into the first box.
2. Type the bottom number (diastolic) into the second box.
3. Read the category, plus the category each number would give on its own.
4. Check the table below to see your row and how close you are to the next boundary.

How it works

Values are in mmHg. In the guideline the categories are called 정상, 주의혈압, 고혈압 전단계, 고혈압 1기 and 고혈압 2기.

• Normal: systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80
• Elevated: systolic 120 to under 130 and diastolic below 80
• Prehypertension (high-normal): systolic 130 to under 140 or diastolic 80 to under 90
• Stage 1 hypertension: systolic 140 to under 160 or diastolic 90 to under 100
• Stage 2 hypertension: systolic 160 or more or diastolic 100 or more
• Isolated systolic hypertension: systolic 140 or more and diastolic below 90, shown in addition to the stage

When the two numbers fall in different categories, the higher one applies. At systolic 180 or more or diastolic 120 or more a separate very-high warning appears (the 180/120 mmHg line the 2019 Korean clinical practice guideline uses for hypertensive urgency and emergency). The table is for clinic readings; the same guideline treats a home average of 135/85 mmHg or more as in the hypertensive range. Decimals are compared exactly as entered, so 129.5 is still elevated because it is under 130. The tool accepts systolic values from 60 to 260 mmHg and diastolic values from 30 to 160 mmHg, and systolic must be higher than diastolic.

Source: KDCA National Health Information Portal, “Hypertension”, cross-checked against the 2022 KSH guideline summary published in Clinical Hypertension (2023). The very-high warning and the home reading line follow the Korean clinical practice guideline for hypertension (2019 revision, Korean Academy of Medical Sciences guideline center, with the Korean Society of Hypertension). Accessed 2026-10-04.

Examples

Reading	Category	Decided by
118/76	Normal	both
128/78	Elevated	systolic
118/82	Prehypertension	diastolic
125/92	Stage 1	diastolic
145/85	Stage 1 + isolated systolic	systolic
165/105	Stage 2	both

Things to keep in mind

Readings change with stress, caffeine, recent activity and even talking during the measurement. Sit comfortably and rest for a while before you measure, and keep a log of several readings taken at similar times of day. That log is far more useful to a doctor than any single number, and a single high reading is not a reason to panic or to change medication on your own. If your numbers are high or you are worried, talk to a doctor. If you are planning workouts, the heart rate zone calculator is a handy companion.