What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries – the vessels that carry your blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body. You need a certain amount of pressure to get the blood moving around your body.
Your blood pressure naturally goes up and down throughout the day and night, and it is normal for it to go up while you are moving around. However, when your blood pressure is consistently high, even when you are resting, this is a sign that your blood pressure is at an unhealthy level and requires action to bring it down to a healthier level.
Visit British Heart Foundation (BHF) to learn more about blood pressure.
Community pharmacy blood pressure check service
Did you know that you can now have your blood pressure checked for free in a community pharmacy? Find out where your nearest participating pharmacy is:
Community Pharmacy blood pressure check service
What should your blood pressure level be?
Ideally, blood pressure readings between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Most people in the UK have blood pressures higher than the ideal, but below the usual level for diagnosing high blood pressure – somewhere between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg. If you are in this range, you could develop high blood pressure in the future. Taking steps to lower your blood pressure will keep your risk of health problems down.
How can you lower your blood pressure?
Exercise levels, diet, and weight influence your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you can start lowering blood pressure today by eating more healthily and being more active.
Check out Blood Pressure UK’s advice for exercise and activity and find healthy eating tips to help lower blood pressure levels.
Blood pressure monitors for use at home are available at most local pharmacies and you can ask the staff there to confirm if the monitor is clinically validated to give yourself confidence in the results.
If you have any other questions about home monitoring, your blood pressure or heart health, you can contact Blood Pressure UK on their helpline: 020 7882 6218 or by email: help@bloodpressureuk.org