While there is no exact answer to this question, normal blood pressure can be described as any value between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. There is a consensus among the medical experts that any value that falls within this ‘ideal’ range can be considered healthy and indicative of low risk of developing cardiovascular problems or experiencing stroke.
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However, the research conducted by the NHS seems to indicate that majority of adults in the UK have blood pressure of 120/80mmHg to 140/90mmHg, making the average score of the British population slightly above the ideal. On top of that, roughly one in every four Britons has high blood pressure (also called hypertension) which is diagnosed when two successive measurements confirm blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. This is the only way to diagnose this otherwise asymptomatic condition.
So, the ‘average’ blood pressure in the UK seems to be somewhat higher than ideal which is way most medical experts agree that people who have 120/80mmHg or higher should take action right away to lower their blood pressure before it develops into hypertension. At this stage, certain lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a healthier diet and introducing some light exercise into the daily routine should be enough to contribute to improvement when it comes to this issue. However, once hypertension has been diagnosed, prescription medicines might be necessary to keep the condition from deteriorating further.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure can be loosely defined as a force by which the blood is pumped out by the heart as well as the force exerted by the blood as it moves around the body through the blood vessels. As such, blood pressure is given as two numbers which are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) on a pressure gauge.
The first number is called systolic pressure and it is a measurement of the pressure in the moment when the heart makes a beat to pump the blood out. The other number is called diastolic pressure and it is the measure of pressure exerted between beats, when the heart is in a resting state. Conventionally, blood pressure is read as systolic ‘over’ diastolic pressure.
The higher the blood pressure, the harder will the heart work in order to pump the blood around the body. On top of that, high blood pressure can also put additional stress on arteries and vital organs, thus increasing the risk of further complication.
Blood pressure categories
There are three ‘main’ categories of blood pressure, usually separated in the following manner:
- 140/90mmHg is the upper limit above which high blood pressure (hypertension) is diagnosed
- Range between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg is considered to be ideal blood pressure
- 90/60mmHg is the lower limit below which low blood pressure (hypotension) is diagnosed
The measurements situated between these fixed values are generally called pre-high blood pressure or pre-low blood pressure. So, while these are not technically considered to be a medical condition, if measured, doctor will usually advise the patient to make efforts to bring their pressure into normal range.
I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure – what should I do?
Depending on the severity of your condition, the doctor can recommend several possible courses of action. However, regardless of whether prescription medications will be advised, certain lifestyles are definitely to be recommended. Most commonly, this will include quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, improving the diet and exercising.
Some medical experts tend to further categorise the cases of hypertension into three subcategories, usually called stages:
- Stage 1 high blood pressure (140/90 to 160/100)
- Stage 2 high blood pressure (160/100 to 180/110)
- Stage 3, also called hypertensive crisis that is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention (180/110 and above)
Depending on the exact stage that your condition falls into, the doctor might recommend lifestyle changes, prescription medicines or immediate medical intervention.
I have been diagnosed with low blood pressure – what should I do?
Unlike hypertension, low blood pressure is unlikely to cause any long-lasting symptoms or lead to further complications. In a vast majority of cases, hypotension won’t be considered to be a serious health condition. However, in some situations, when the blood pressure drops too much, some symptoms might manifest, like feeling faint or light-headed. If this is the case, you should make an appointment with a doctor, since especially low blood pressure might be indicative of an underlying medical condition or a side effect of some medicine.
How can I check my blood pressure?
Blood pressure can be easily measured, both in relevant health institutions and at home, with the use of a sphygmomanometer. This device consists of a mercury gauge connected to a securable arm band, pump and stethoscope. Today, however, digital gauges are increasingly replacing the traditional solutions.
You can get your blood pressure measured for free in most clinics and even some pharmacies. It is recommended that everyone undergoes regular checks of their blood pressure, and this is especially true for people aged 40 or over, when hypertension is more likely to manifest. On the other hand, people diagnosed with high blood pressure or those which are predisposed to the condition (who have a family history of hypertension) should be monitored more frequently.
If you are looking to buy your own home testing device, you can do so in numerous places, but you should always ensure that the model of your choice has been tested and validated by the British Hypertension Society.
How to prevent blood pressure problems?
If you have a healthy blood pressure, you should make an effort to ensure that it stays that way. The risk of developing hypertension will certainly increase with age, so even ideal blood pressure is no guarantee that you will encounter no problems, especially if you have some bad habits which might further increase the risks.
There are numerous lifestyle choices and habits that might contribute to developing high blood pressure, including:
- Larger than recommended salt intake
- Lack of physical activity
- Alcohol consumption, especially when excessive
- Smoking
- Obesity and weight problems
- Lack of sleep
In order to prevent your bad habits from having a detrimental impact on your blood pressure, you should ensure to:
- Not take more than 2-6 grams of salt per day
- Do at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise weekly
- Keep your alcohol consumption under 14 units per week with at least two days without drinking per week
- Quit smoking if you are an active smoker
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet while trying to stay within healthy BMI range
- Get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night
- Regularly check your blood pressure
