Learn more about blood pressure

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries in the heart and is measured in millimetres of mercury. Your heart pumps blood around the body through the arteries, by contracting and relaxing.

The pressure of blood flowing through the arteries varies at different times in the heartbeat cycle. Hence, there are two numbers recorded during a blood pressure reading, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic, the top number of your reading is the higher of the two and it measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts or beats. Diastolic, the bottom and lower number measures the heart at rest when it’s between heartbeats.

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Pre-hypertension
What is pre-hypertension?
Blood Pressure Information
More than five million are unaware their health is at risk
Recently published statistics reveal that more than five million people in Britain are unaware their blood pressure is too high.
Heart facts & studies
BLOOD PRESSURE INFORMATION
Sharing readings with your doctor
How to share home blood pressure data at your next visit
Blood Pressure Information
Learn more about blood pressure
What is blood pressure?
Blood Pressure Information
Low Blood Pressure
Can blood pressure be too low?
Blood Pressure Information
High Blood Pressure
What is high blood pressure?
Blood Pressure Information
Pre-hypertension
What is pre-hypertension?
Blood Pressure Information
Health conditions
Are there health conditions that can raise the risk of high blood pressure?
Blood Pressure Information
Monitoring blood pressure
Do I need a doctor to check my blood pressure?
Blood Pressure Information
Monitoring your blood pressure at home
How can monitoring your blood pressure at home help?
Blood Pressure Information
How often should you check your blood pressure?
Generally, it is appropriate to measure blood pressure regularly.
Blood Pressure Information
Taking your blood pressure measurement
How do I take my blood pressure measurement?
Blood Pressure Information
Managing blood pressure
Making healthier decisions can help you to lower your blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Information
Diet can affect your blood pressure
What foods help lower blood pressure? What foods can raise blood pressure?
Blood Pressure Information
Is there medicine that can lower blood pressure?
Prescription medicines that work for some people to lower blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Information
HEART FACTS & STUDIES
More than five million are unaware their health is at risk
Recently published statistics reveal that more than five million people in Britain are unaware their blood pressure is too high.
Heart facts & studies