High blood pressure (hypertension)

What is high blood pressure? What do the numbers really mean, and why is it so important to 'Know Your Numbers'?

Somerset - Take the Pressure Off!

Welcome to our "Take the Pressure Off" campaign, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring. In Somerset, we believe in taking proactive steps towards a healthier community, and this campaign is at the heart of that belief.

How do I check my blood pressure?

Understanding your numbers

Once you know your numbers, you can use the blood pressure chart to see what they mean and if your blood pressure is in the healthy range. The chart is suitable for adults of any age, as the cut-off point for diagnosing high blood pressure doesn’t change with age.

Simply find your top number (systolic) on the left side of the chart and your bottom number (diastolic) on the bottom. Where the two lines meet is your blood pressure.

As a general guide:

High blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg or more if your reading was taken at a GP surgery or clinic (or an average of 135/85mmHg if it was taken at home). If your blood pressure is high (regularly detected over 7 days), you should contact 111 or see your GP or nurse
If you're over the age of 80, high blood pressure is considered to be from 150/90mmHg or more if your reading was taken at a GP surgery or clinic (or an average of 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home). If your blood pressure is elevated, you should take steps to reduce it. Find out more below.
Blood pressure readings from 121/81mmHg to 139/89mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
Ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for people over the age of 80 years old is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg if it was taken at home). Keep following a healthy lifestyle to maintain blood pressure.

Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.

Around 3 in 10 adults in Somerset have high blood pressure

but 1 in 10 do not know it

If you have a recent blood pressure reading use the NHS Check your blood pressure tool to understand what your reading means. You'll also get information about what to do next.

Check your blood pressure reading

What is 'blood pressure'?

In your body, it’s the force with which blood flows through your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

It’s helpful to think of blood pressure like the force of water flowing through a hose.

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

Systolic pressure: this is the higher of the two numbers. It’s the pressure against your arteries when your heart is pumping blood around your body.
Diastolic pressure: this is the lower of the two numbers. It shows how much pressure is in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.

They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.

Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:

If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions.

What increases my risk of high blood pressure?

It's not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are things that can increase your risk.

You might be more at risk if you:

are overweight
eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
do not do enough exercise
drink too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
smoke
have a lot of stress
are over 65 years old
have a relative with high blood pressure
are of black African or Black Caribbean descent
live in a deprived area

Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it's already high.

High blood pressure is also sometimes caused by an underlying health condition or taking a certain medicine.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

Your blood pressure will usually need to be checked more than once to confirm a diagnosis of high blood pressure.

This is because blood pressure can go up and down a lot during the day. When people have their blood pressure checked in a clinic, or medical setting, it can be higher than expected, especially if they feel nervous or anxious.

If you're monitoring your blood pressure yourself using a home monitor then you should check your blood pressure over several days. This can include taking a series of recordings (at least two), twice a day, in the morning and evening.

By looking at all your blood pressure readings over a few days, a healthcare professional can work out what your 'average’ blood pressure is.

Understanding low blood pressure

Low blood pressure is a reading of less than 90/60mmHg. It is not usually a problem, as blood pressure can be naturally low for some people. However, sometimes it can be caused by illness, a health condition, or some medications.

Symptoms of low blood pressure:

Get your blood pressure checked if you keep getting symptoms like:

This might indicate that your blood pressure is too low.

If you get symptoms when you stand up or suddenly change position, you may have a type of low blood pressure called postural hypotension.

If you get symptoms such as dizziness and fainting, please call 111.

If you’re having symptoms, you should check your blood pressure every month or as often as your doctor advises.

However, if you feel well, you should check your blood pressure at home again in 1 year. You should also have your blood pressure checked at a GP surgery or pharmacy at least once every 5 years.

Things you can do to help with low blood pressure symptoms

get up slowly from lying to sitting to standing
eat small, frequent meals
increase the amount of water you drink
ask your doctor to review your medicines

Treating high blood pressure

Simple lifestyle changes can help reduce high blood pressure, although some people may need to take medicine as well.

Your GP can advise you about changes you can make to your lifestyle and discuss whether they think you'd benefit from medicine.

Lifestyle changes

By making lifestyle changes, you can lower your blood pressure and keep it at a healthy level.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure:

reduce the amount of salt you eat and have a generally healthy diet
cut back on alcohol
lose weight if you're overweight
exercise regularly
cut down on caffeine
stop smoking

Some people with high blood pressure may also need to take 1 or more medicines to stop their blood pressure getting too high.

Medication

Eddie Drew, 51, an employee at Somerset Council, discovered the life-saving importance of regular blood pressure checks in the most unexpected way.

"Taking my blood pressure on a machine at work has been a life-saver – literally," he says.

Despite being an active rugby player, walking the South West Coast Path, and maintaining a healthy diet, Eddie was shocked to find his reading at 195 over 121. This alarming discovery led him to seek medical advice immediately.

"Thanks to the blood pressure machine at work, I've been able to take action before it's too late," Eddie shares. He's now on prescribed medication to manage his condition. "In truth, I would never have guessed my blood pressure was so dangerously high."

Eddie's story is a powerful reminder that high blood pressure can go unnoticed, even in the most active individuals. Don't wait for a scare. Check your blood pressure regularly and stay on top of your health.

Preventing high blood pressure

High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking.

Healthy diet

Cut down on the amount of salt in your food and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

The Eatwell Guide highlights the different types of food that make up our diet, and shows the proportions we should eat them in to have a well-balanced and healthy diet.

Salt raises your blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. Aim to eat less than 6g (0.2oz) of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful.

Find out how to cut down on salt

Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure.

Aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

Find out how to get your 5 A Day

Limit your alcohol intake

Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure over time.

Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:

men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week

Find out about alcohol units and get tips on cutting down.

Alcohol is also high in calories, which will make you gain weight and can further increase your blood pressure.

Local support:

Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service

Losing weight

Being overweight forces your heart to work harder to pump blood around your body, which can raise your blood pressure.

Find out if you need to lose weight with the BMI healthy weight calculator

If you do need to lose some weight, it's worth remembering that just losing a few pounds will make a big difference to your blood pressure and overall health.

Local support:

Get active

Being active and taking regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition.

Regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which will also help lower your blood pressure.

Adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.

Physical activity can include anything from sport to walking and gardening.

Local support

Cut down on caffeine

Stop smoking

Related news

Make the time, ease your pressure this Know Your Numbers! Week

August 31, 2023

NHS Somerset and Somerset County Council’s Public Health Team are encouraging Somerset residents to get their blood pressure checked for ‘Know Your Numbers’ week.