Blood Pressure

Everyone has blood pressure.  It shows the amount of work that your heart has to do to pump blood around the body.

Two numbers measure the level of blood pressure. One number record blood pressure when the pressure is at its highest as the heart muscle squeezes out the blood from the heart – systolic pressure. Then the heart relaxes, which allows the blood to flow back into the heart – diastolic pressure.

The normal level of blood pressure is usually about 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic), but this can vary with age, how you feel and activity. If you have been told that your blood pressure is higher than 140 over 90 you shouls discuss this with your doctor.

The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured. Blood pressure varies with age and depends on how active you are before it is measured. If you are nervous or anxious, the measurement can be higher then usual.

One high reading does not necessarily mean that you have seriously high blood pressure. Your doctor will usually want to check your blood pressure several times, before deciding whether or not the pressure is really above the level which would be best for your age.

Sometimes your blood pressure may be falsely high when measured by a doctor or nurse because you are worried about being in the surgery or clinic. If that is the case, your doctor may ask you to measure your blood pressure at home using a simple device. There is also a machine that can measure your blood pressure every half hour throughout the day and night. This can be done while you are carrying out your normal daily work and activities over a 34-hour period.

People over 30 yearsof age should have their blood pressure checked every two or three years.