Mean Arterial Pressure Calculator (MAP and Pulse Pressure)
Mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure from a blood pressure reading, with the American blood pressure category.
Results
The dashed line marks the value you entered.
What this tool does
Mean arterial pressure is the average pressure pushing blood through the arteries during one heartbeat. Because the heart spends about two thirds of each beat relaxed, the diastolic pressure counts double: MAP = diastolic + one third of the pulse pressure, the same as (systolic + 2 × diastolic) ÷ 3. Hospitals watch it because organs need a minimum MAP to stay perfused; a long-standing rule of thumb in intensive care is to keep it above about 65 mmHg. The category shown follows the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association bands, which differ from the European ones, and a diagnosis needs repeated, properly taken measurements.
Formula
MAP = diastolic + (systolic − diastolic) ÷ 3 · pulse pressure = systolic − diastolic
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
sy | Systolic pressure (the higher number) | mmHg |
di | Diastolic pressure (the lower number) | mmHg |
MP | Mean arterial pressure (MAP) | mmHg |
PP | Pulse pressure | mmHg |
CAT | Blood pressure category (ACC/AHA 2017) | — |
Worked example
- Systolic pressure (the higher number)118 mmHg
- Diastolic pressure (the lower number)76 mmHg
- Mean arterial pressure (MAP)90.0 mmHg
- Pulse pressure42 mmHg
- Blood pressure category (ACC/AHA 2017)Normal — below 120 and below 80
Limitations
- This tool is informational only. It does not diagnose, treat or replace a qualified health professional. Speak to a doctor before making decisions about your health.
- For work that must comply with a standard or be signed off, check the result against the applicable code and have it reviewed by a qualified engineer.