When your blood pressure is measured, the reading has a higher and a lower number:
- Your systolic blood pressure – this is the higher number indicating the pressure when your heart pumps blood out
- Your diastolic blood pressure – this is the lower number indicating the pressure when your heart rests
Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 140/90. If your result falls outside this range, the healthcare professional explaining your results will discuss this with you and what action to take.
High blood pressure is a problem because it increases the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, so it's possible to have high blood pressure without knowing it.
Having a single raised blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. Blood pressure can go up and down throughout the day and in response to stress.
How can I reduce my blood pressure?
Blood pressure can be brought down by making changes such as:
- cutting down on salt (to 6g a day) and caffeine
- losing weight and becoming more active
- reducing alcohol intake
If necessary, your doctor may prescribe you with blood pressure-lowering medicines, but they will usually want you to try to make changes to your lifestyle habits first before prescribing.
Low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure doesn't necessarily indicate a health problem and is typical
* This service includes a finger prick blood test, and we may need to refer you to your GP for further tests if we identify that you are at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This is a private service and charges apply.
