As part of Know Your Numbers week, we have decided to put together this quick guide about the importance of measuring your blood pressure and knowing the risks of having a high blood pressure.
What is know your numbers week?
Know your numbers week is an annual campaign promoted by Blood Pressure UK to encourage as many people as possible to check their blood pressure, so that they’re aware of whether they are at risk of hypertension or high blood pressure.
Why is it important to check your blood pressure?
Blood pressure is what keeps blood circulating around your body, but if your blood pressure is raised, it puts you at an increased risk of a number of conditions, including heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.
This is why high blood pressure is known as ‘a silent killer’- there’s no symptoms, but poses a significant risk to your overall health.
This is the focus of Blood Pressure UK’s 2025 campaign.
Whereas, on the other end of the spectrum, low blood pressure is easier to spot, as this usually results in symptoms such as, confusion, fainting, blurred vision, and dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it’s worth checking your blood pressure as well as seeing your GP.
What number is my blood pressure supposed to be? 🔢
Blood pressure is made up of two numbers and is displayed like a fraction. The top number is your systolic and the bottom number is your diastolic.
Systolic = pressure within the arteries when the heart contracts/squeezes
Diastolic = pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats
Ideally, we should all have a blood pressure reading between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg
Most people are higher than this ideal range, which puts you at risk of developing high blood pressure. You can be diagnosed with high blood pressure if your numbers are over 140/90 mmHg.
The diagnosis is also slightly higher if your over 80, at 150/90 mmHg.
The chart on the left is from the NHS blood pressure checker, and shows visually what an ideal reading is vs a high blood pressure reading.
How do I measure my blood pressure?
You can have your blood pressure measured at your GP surgery, some pharmacies, or as part of an NHS health check (which are offered to those between 40-74, who do not have any pre-existing conditions, related to poor heart health).
You can also measure your blood pressure at home using a home monitor.
What causes high blood pressure? 🤔
There is no one single cause of high blood pressure, but lifestyle plays an important role, so factors such as:
- Being overweight
- Eating too much salt
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Being a smoker
- Being in-active and not exercising regularly
Age, ethnic background and genetics can also play a role in increasing your chances of having high blood pressure.
What do you do if you have high blood pressure? 🏃♀️🍴
There are simple solutions to lowering your blood pressure, such as:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Exercising regularly- at least 150 minutes a week
- Lose weight
- Eat less salt
- Do not drink too much alcohol or caffeine
- Quit smoking
In addition, your GP may prescribe you with medicine if your blood pressure is very high, and it is still high after making healthy lifestyle changes. There are lots of different medications and what you are prescribed depends on factors, such as how high your blood pressure is, your age, and any existing medical conditions.
In Summary:
Eat a balanced diet and keep active – monitor your blood pressure regularly – if you’re blood pressure is creeping up, act early before it’s too late
Our work at Broomfield Care 💚
At Broomfield Care, we provide a variety of services to help support individuals in the Gloucester community. From personal care, to social visits and companionship, we pride ourselves on helping our clients to continue living healthily, independently and confidently.
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