Blood pressure test
Understanding your blood pressure reading
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and isgiven as two figures:
- systolic pressure the pressurewhen your heart pushes blood out
- diastolic pressure the pressure when your heart rests between beats
For example, ifyour blood pressure is "140 over 90" or 140/90mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.
As a general guide:
- normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
- high blood pressure is considered to be140/90mmHg or higher
- low blood pressure is considered tobe 90/60mmHg or lower
A blood pressure reading between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you don't take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
Find outmore about what your blood pressure result means .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out when to get your blood pressure tested, how the test is done, and what your result means.
When should I get my blood pressure tested?
You can ask for a blood pressure test if you're worried about your blood pressure at any point. You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including: at your local GP surgery at
How blood pressure istested
Adevice called a sphygmomanometer will be used to measure your blood pressure. This usually consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, pump and dial, although automatic devices thatuse sensors and have a d
Home blood pressure monitoring
Blood pressure tests can also be carried out at home using your own digital blood pressure monitor. This can give a better reflection of your blood pressure, as being tested in somewhere like a GP su
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
In some cases, your doctor may recommend 24-hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). This is where your blood pressure is tested automatically around every 30 minutes over a 24-hour perio
Understanding your blood pressure reading
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and isgiven as two figures: systolic pressure the pressurewhen your heart pushes blood out diastolic pressure the pressure when your
Controlling yourblood pressure
If your blood pressure is found to be too high or too low,yourGP or the healthcare professional performing the test can advise you about ways to control it. This may involve: adoptinga healthy, bal
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products