Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) of 89 mmHg: What Does It Mean?

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD | Medically reviewed by Robin Backlund, BHSc
Last update: February 21, 2024

What is Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)?

Mean arterial pressure is a measure of the average pressure in a person’s arteries during one cardiac cycle. Unlike regular blood pressure, MAP only has a single value mentioned in mmHg.

It represents the average blood pressure that drives blood to all parts of the body, making it a crucial indicator of blood flow to vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart.

MAP is considered a superior cardiovascular indicator to assess blood perfusion to organs than either systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) alone, especially in critical care settings.

Even if your SBP or DBP readings appear abnormal, your MAP may still fall within the normal range.

This means that a MAP value of 89 mmHg could result from various combinations of SBP and DBP, providing a more universal metric for evaluating heart health and guiding treatment decisions.

There are several clinical benefits to using MAP assessment alongside regular blood pressure monitoring, especially in predicting the cerebrovascular impact of hypertension.

A 2023 study published in the journal Biomedicines studied the efficacy of MAP in identifying cerebrovascular events associated with hypertension with a 95.25% accuracy compared to regular blood pressure monitoring.

But the benefits don’t end there. According to NCBI’s STATPearl publication on Mean Arterial Blood Pressure and several AHA observations, below are some of the potential benefits of assessing MAP.

• Organ perfusion: MAP measures the pressure driving blood into various organs, crucial for organ function, especially in critically ill patients.
• Critical care: Monitoring MAP ensures adequate organ perfusion, which is vital for patients in shock or with severe infections.
• Treatment guide: MAP directs treatment for hypertension or hypotension, preventing organ damage.
• Cardiovascular risk: MAP predicts cardiovascular events better than other measures, especially in older adults.
• Renal function: MAP estimates renal perfusion pressure, which is crucial for kidney function.
• Cardiovascular health assessment: MAP provides a comprehensive view of cardiovascular health, aiding in diagnosis and treatment.

If MAP is an important metric, how will you calculate it? You can find out in the next section.

How do you calculate your Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)?

There are several methods to calculate MAP, but the most popular and clinically followed one utilizes the values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), following a formula also employed by Dr. Melgarejo and team in their 2020 AHA publication in the journal Hypertension.

This calculation acknowledges that the heart spends more time in diastole (when it relaxes and fills with blood) than in systole (when it contracts and pumps blood).

Therefore, MAP is not a simple average of SBP and DBP but gives more weight to the DBP.

Once you have the value, you may compare it to the reference provided by Dr. Melgarejo in his publication, as given below.

While the above method is nearly accurate, the most precise process involves an invasive procedure wherein arterial catheterization is performed to collect data directly from an artery.

There are other methods as well, elaborated below; however, they are less common and not preferred in clinical settings.

Two-thirds diastolic plus one-third systolic method

The Two-thirds diastolic plus one-third systolic method is a formula used to calculate MAP based on blood pressure readings. In this method, two-thirds of the DBP) and one-third of the SBP are added together to obtain an estimate of MAP. This formula rearranges the most frequently used calculation and emphasizes the time-weighted average of blood pressure during the cardiac cycle.

Increased heart rate estimation

At higher heart rates, the MAP is more accurately estimated by averaging the systolic and diastolic pressures due to changes in the shape of the arterial pressure pulse.

The following formula can be used for a more precise calculation of MAP during elevated heart rates.

Where PP is pulse pressure, and HR is heart rate.

Pulse pressure method

Although not a direct method for calculating MAP, understanding pulse pressure (the difference between SBP and DBP) can offer insights into MAP, especially when considering the stiffness of arteries and the workload on the heart. However, this method is more about assessing cardiovascular risk than calculating MAP directly.

If you are curious about your heart health and want to know your MAP, enter your SBP and DBP in the calculator below.

What are the dangers and risks of low and high Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)?

Low and high MAP levels each indicate distinct risks and potential health complications.

The risks of low MAP do indicate potential organ damage and physiological effects, as observed by Dr. Daniel DeMers & Dr. Daliah Wachs in their STATPearl publication in 2023.

According to them, below are some of the dangers associated with low MAP.

Risks of low MAP

• Inadequate organ perfusion: A MAP that is too low can lead to insufficient blood flow to vital organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and heart. This can result in organ dysfunction or failure if not promptly addressed.
• Dizziness and fainting: Low MAP can cause symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (syncope), particularly when standing up quickly, due to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
• Shock: Extremely low MAP can lead to various forms of shock, including hypovolemic, cardiogenic, or septic shock, depending on the underlying cause. Shock is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency medical intervention.

The dangers associated with high MAP are similar to those of hypertension since excess blood pressure can damage the end organs. Below are some of the risks as per the AHA and CDC.

Risks of high MAP

• Increased cardiovascular risk: Elevated MAP increases the workload on the heart and arteries, leading to an exertion of heart muscles, which could lead to heart attack.
• Vascular damage: High MAP can damage several of the major arteries, leading to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, which further elevates the risk of cardiovascular complications.
• Kidney damage: The kidneys are particularly sensitive to changes in blood pressure. High MAP can lead to kidney damage over time, potentially resulting in chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury.
• Cognitive decline: There is evidence to suggest that chronically high MAP may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, likely due to decreased blood flow and damage to brain tissue over time.

Both low and high MAP levels indicate imbalances in blood pressure regulation that can have serious health implications. Ideally, managing your MAP in ± 10% in the range of 89 could be beneficial.

The below guide will help you understand methods to manage your MAP levels in a healthy range.

How do you maintain Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) at a healthy level?

MAP of 89 mmHg falls at a healthy level, and managing it involves a combination of lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and possibly medical intervention, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Below are a few proven strategies per the revised 2017 ACC/AHA high blood pressure guidelines.

• Eat healthily: Focus on a diet filled with vegetables, fruits, lean meats, whole grains and cereals. Minimize foods that are high in salt (sodium), saturated fats, and cholesterol.
• Weight management: Managing a healthy BMI and body weight can positively impact your blood pressure.
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as swimming, cycling, or brisk walking, to help regulate blood pressure.
• Moderate alcohol and caffeine consumption: Keeping alcohol and caffeine intake in check can aid in controlling blood pressure levels.
• Quit smoking: Avoiding tobacco use can lower blood pressure and enhance vascular health, as smoking can harm blood vessels and elevate blood pressure.
• Stress reduction: Engaging in stress-reducing activities like meditation, mindfulness, or regular physical exercise can help manage blood pressure.
• Blood pressure monitoring: A blood pressure monitor is needed to measure your SBP and DBP, which can be put in a MAP calculator to assess heart health. Clinically valid devices like CheckMe BP2, Oxiline Pressure X Pro, etc., can give you the most accurate results. 
• Follow medication regimens: If your doctor prescribes, ensure you take your blood pressure medications as directed to maintain optimal blood pressure levels.
• Seek regular medical advice: Routine medical check-ups are crucial for adjusting treatment plans and receiving advice on lifestyle adjustments to keep your blood pressure in check.

Implementing these strategies can help maintain your MAP within a healthy range, reducing cardiovascular disease risk and improving overall health.

Having a MAP of 89 mmHg is a positive sign of a healthy heart. Therefore, as mentioned above, additional efforts should be implemented to manage it.

Always check with your doctor before making significant changes to your lifestyle, especially if you have existing health conditions or concerns.