- How often should I get checked?
- Buying a blood pressure monitor
- Lowering your blood pressure
- How to check your blood pressure
- New diagnosis of high blood pressure
- Information in your language
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is how hard your blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels. High blood pressure means it is pushing too hard, all the time.
Readings at home are usually a little lower than at the surgery, which is why the home limit is lower. One high reading does not mean you have high blood pressure. We look at several readings. High blood pressure is also called hypertension.
What do the two numbers mean?
The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
A healthy range for blood pressure is between 90/60 and 120/80.
The silent killer
5 million people in the UK may have high blood pressure without knowing. Most people with it have no symptoms at all. Over many years, high blood pressure quietly strains your body and raises your risk of:
- Stroke and memory problems (dementia)
- Heart attack and heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Sight problems
- Narrower arteries that cause poor blood flow to your organs.
Patients at increased risk of high blood pressure
Those aged 40 or over
If immediate family members have high blood pressure
Those from a Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian background
Overweight patients
Smokers
Those with a high-salt diet
Those that drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week
Those with limited physical activity
Patients with existing diabetes or kidney disease diagnosis
How often should I get checked?
- Adults 40 years and older – At least every 5 years. Also available at many local pharmacies.
- Adults under 40 years old – No regular check needed if you are well. Ask for a check if you have diabetes or kidney disease, a close relative with high blood pressure, or other risk factors above. We may also offer a quick check when you visit us.
- Those whose last reading was raised – Every year because catching it early means small changes can be enough.
- Those with an existing diagnosis – A review with us at least once a year alongside checks at home e.g. for a week before your review or after a change in your medicine.
- Pregnant patients – At every antenatal appointment. Tell your midwife if you have headaches, blurred vision or sudden swelling.
Checking your blood pressure
If you do not have a blood pressure machine at home, ask at reception if you can use our blood pressure machine. We advise that you rest for at least 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure reading.
How to check your blood pressure at home
Follow the below steps for the most accurate blood pressure readings at home.
- Wait 30 minutes after coffee, tea, cola, smoking, exercise or a meal. Go to the toilet first.
- Sit and rest for 5 minutes. Back against the chair, feet flat on the floor, legs not crossed.
- Rest your arm on a table at about the height of your heart. Use a bare arm, not over a sleeve.
- Put the cuff on about 2 fingers (2cm) above the bend of your elbow. Snug, but you can slide two fingers under it.
- Keep still and quiet. Don’t talk and take two readings 1 minute apart.
When we ask you to check your blood pressure readings for a week, it is important to check every morning and evening, then send us the readings.
How to send us your readings
Use the link in our text message invite. This is the quickest way.
Get checked at a local pharmacy. Many pharmacies can check your blood pressure and send us the result.
Send us the results via our website (use the ‘Contact us online’ option)
If you are unable to use the above options, call our reception team and our team will be able to assist you.
Buying a blood pressure monitor
We cannot advise you of what blood pressure monitor to buy but you can get good monitors from reliable brands for approximately £20. Follow our tips for selecting an appropriate monitor.
Do
- Choose one that goes on your upper arm. Wrist and finger monitors are less reliable.
Check it is clinically tested (validated).
Make sure the cuff fits your arm. Larger cuffs are sold separately.
Don’t
- Avoid monitors that take measurements at the wrist or finger as they are less reliable.
Do not buy an expensive monitor. Good monitors start at about £20.
New diagnosis of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can quietly affect your heart and kidneys before you notice anything. These quick tests check that everything is OK. We will contact you to book them.
Tests we will arrange for you
Cholesterol blood test (lipid profile) – Measures the fats in your blood. High cholesterol and high blood pressure together greatly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Sugar level blood test (HbA1c) – Shows your average blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months. Checks for diabetes, which often comes with high blood pressure.
Kidney blood test (U&Es) – Shows how well your kidneys clean your blood and checks your salt levels. Some blood pressure medicines need this check.
Kidney urine test (Urine ACR) – A small pot of urine, ideally your first wee of the morning. Finds tiny amounts of protein, an early sign of kidney strain, long before you’d feel anything.
Urine dip test – A test strip is dipped in your urine to look for blood or protein. Results in a minute.
Heart tracing (ECG) – Small stickers on your chest record your heartbeat for a few minutes. Painless. Checks your heart rhythm and whether it is working too hard.
These tests are very important as they help to find some other common health problems early, it helps us treat you with the most appropriate medicine and also helps to understand your heart risk.
Lowering your blood pressure
Small changes that can make a big difference
Eat less salt
Move more
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Drink less alcohol
Stop smoking
Lower your weight
Free NHS support: NHS Better Health (weight, activity, quitting smoking, alcohol). Thinking about treatment? This NHS guide to your options (PDF) can help you decide with us.