How to Check Your Blood Pressure Accurately and Understand Your Results
Blood pressure is an important measure of cardiovascular health. It shows how strongly your blood is pressing against the inside of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, often causes no noticeable symptoms, but over time it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems.
Checking your blood pressure regularly can help identify changes early and give you and your healthcare professional a clearer picture of your health. Cattedown Pharmacy offers a blood pressure monitoring service in Cattedown, Plymouth, providing a convenient opportunity to have your blood pressure checked and discuss what your results may mean.
What do the numbers mean?
A blood pressure reading has two numbers, measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). For example, a reading may be written as 128/78 mmHg.
- The first number is the systolic pressure. This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps blood.
- The second number is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.
Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day. It may be affected by activity, stress, caffeine, smoking, pain, illness, sleep and some medicines. This means that one reading is not always enough to confirm whether your blood pressure is consistently high or low.
For most adults, a clinic reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher may be considered high. When blood pressure is measured at home, an average of 135/85 mmHg or higher is generally considered high. These are useful general thresholds, but your healthcare professional may interpret your reading differently depending on your age, medical history, pregnancy status and other risk factors.
How to prepare for an accurate reading
A little preparation can make your result more reliable. Before your appointment or measurement:
- Avoid exercise, smoking and drinks containing caffeine for about 30 minutes beforehand, if possible.
- Empty your bladder.
- Allow yourself to rest quietly for at least five minutes.
- Wear clothing that allows the cuff to be placed on your bare upper arm, rather than over a sleeve.
- Try not to measure your blood pressure immediately after rushing, climbing stairs or having a stressful conversation.
If you are visiting the pharmacy, tell the team about any medicines you take and whether you have recently felt unwell. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines based on a single blood pressure result unless a healthcare professional advises you to do so.
How to sit during the measurement
Your position can affect the result. Sit with your back supported and both feet flat on the floor. Keep your legs uncrossed and rest your arm on a table or other support so that the cuff is level with your heart. Try not to talk or use your phone while the measurement is being taken.
The cuff should be the correct size and positioned on the upper arm according to the monitor’s instructions. A cuff that is too small or placed incorrectly can produce an inaccurate result. The pharmacy team can help ensure the equipment and position are suitable.
Usually, two readings are taken at least one minute apart. If the readings are noticeably different, a further measurement may be useful. Your healthcare professional may ask you to record readings at different times or arrange further monitoring to establish your usual blood pressure.
Understanding your result
A result below the usual high blood pressure threshold is not automatically a guarantee that everything is normal, but it is generally reassuring when considered alongside your overall health. Your result should be interpreted in context, particularly if you have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease or a previous history of high blood pressure.
Repeated readings at or above the recommended threshold should be discussed with a GP or another appropriate healthcare professional. You may be advised to monitor your blood pressure at home, attend a follow-up appointment or have additional checks. These may include a review of your medicines, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk.
Low blood pressure is often described as below 90/60 mmHg. Some people naturally have lower readings and feel perfectly well. However, seek advice if low readings are associated with dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, unusual weakness or confusion, especially if these symptoms are new or recurring.
When is high blood pressure an emergency?
A very high reading needs prompt attention, particularly if it is repeated after a few minutes of quiet rest. If your blood pressure is around 180/120 mmHg or higher and you have symptoms such as chest pain, severe breathlessness, sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, a severe headache or changes in vision, call 999 immediately. Do not drive yourself to hospital.
If the reading is around 180/120 mmHg or higher without these symptoms, repeat it after resting and contact NHS 111 or a healthcare professional urgently for advice. A single unexpectedly high reading can sometimes be caused by movement, stress or an incorrect cuff, but it should not be ignored.
Why regular monitoring matters
High blood pressure can develop gradually and may not cause symptoms. Regular checks are particularly useful if you are over 40, have a family history of high blood pressure, are overweight, smoke, drink alcohol regularly, have diabetes or kidney disease, or have previously been told that your blood pressure is raised.
Monitoring can also help identify patterns such as “white coat” hypertension, where readings are higher in a healthcare setting, or masked hypertension, where readings appear normal in a clinic but are higher at home. Your healthcare professional may recommend home monitoring or a device that records readings over a longer period if this is appropriate.
Alongside monitoring, healthy habits can support your blood pressure. These include eating a balanced diet with less salt, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, staying within recommended alcohol limits and getting enough sleep. Lifestyle changes are helpful, but they should complement—not replace—medical advice or prescribed treatment.
Book a blood pressure check at Cattedown Pharmacy
Our blood pressure monitoring service offers a convenient way to check your reading and discuss the next steps with a trained pharmacy professional. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, have noticed symptoms or would like a preventative health check, book your blood pressure monitoring service at Cattedown Pharmacy.