What do my blood pressure readings mean?

We’ve all had our blood pressure taken at some point. And some of us need to have regular readings to monitor certain health conditions.

But do you understand what exactly those numbers mean?

Read our article to know more about your blood pressure, including what the numbers mean and how you can keep within a healthy range.

What exactly is blood pressure?

Blood pressure measures the force your heart uses to pump blood around the body.

It’s measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) because mercury was used in the very first blood pressure measurement devices.

Nowadays, many blood pressure devices don’t contain mercury but the unit of measurement is still used.

The measurement is given in two figures:

• Systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out
• Diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart is resting in between beats

So, a reading of “120 over 80” or 120/80mmHg means that your systolic pressure is 120mmHg while your diastolic pressure is 80mmHg.

More about those numbers!

But what do these numbers actually mean?

Healthy or normal blood pressure is within the range of 90/60mmHg to 140/90mmHg.

High blood pressure is generally a reading that is greater than 140/90mmHg. Because your blood pressure can vary throughout the day, your doctor may want to confirm that you have high blood pressure by getting you to take it at home or by wearing a portable blood pressure measurement device.

Low blood pressure is usually 90/60mmHg or lower.

What does high blood pressure mean?

If you have high blood pressure and it’s not treated, you will be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. This means you are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

You may also be affected by chronic kidney disease, eye conditions or erectile dysfunction.

High blood pressure is often linked to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as being overweight or not exercising enough.

You may not have any symptoms of high blood pressure, which is why you should get it checked regularly.

What does low blood pressure mean?

Low blood pressure may simply mean that you are fit and healthy.

But for some people, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Low blood pressure can be associated with heart conditions or nutritional deficiencies, for example.

You may also have low blood pressure because you are pregnant, dehydrated or taking certain medications.

Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy or weak or you may appear pale or faint.

How can I keep my blood pressure healthy?

It’s important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor or healthcare provider so they can identify any patterns or issues.

To guard against high blood pressure, you should:

• Reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
• Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fibre, fruit and vegetables.
• Reduce your caffeine consumption.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to the recommended 10 standard drinks a week, with a maximum of four standard drinks on any one day. You can find out more about standard drinks here.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for around 30 minutes of moderate to intense activity on most days.
• Stop smoking.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you may also want to speak to your doctor about taking medication to keep it within healthy limits.

You may have to take medication for the rest of your life or you may be able to stop or reduce your treatment if you can get your blood pressure under control.

While high blood pressure is more likely to cause you issues than low blood pressure, you should still seek medical advice if your low blood pressure is causing you concern.

What else can I do if I have blood pressure issues?

If you have been diagnosed with either high or low blood pressure, you may want to wear a medical ID explaining your health status.

This will enable anyone treating you in an emergency to get a fuller picture of your health to give you the best possible care.

You can have your medical alert customised with the words of your choice and it could even include any medication you are on.

Med alerts or wallet cards can also include the numbers of your nearest and dearest so they can be contacted easily in the event of an emergency.

Silicone medical alert bracelets are a great choice as they’re durable, customisable and comfortable, which makes wearing them a pleasure.

There’s lots you can do to improve your blood pressure

It’s important to understand your blood pressure readings and the impact that high or low blood pressure may have on your health.

If you have been diagnosed with blood pressure that is outside the normal range, you’ll want to do all you can to get it back to within healthy limits.

Take comfort in the knowledge that there are lots of things you can do to improve your lifestyle and blood pressure readings.

You can also browse our range of medic alert IDs, which will give you peace of mind if you have been diagnosed with a blood pressure issue or are on medication.

With Mediband's speedy delivery throughout Australia and fabulous customer service, you'll have an easy way to stay on top of your blood pressure!