Blood Pressure Guide UK - Normal Ranges, Charts & What Readings Mean

Blood pressure is one of the most important indicators of cardiovascular health. Understanding your readings can help you take control of your health and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. This comprehensive guide explains what blood pressure is, what the numbers mean, and when to take action.

What Do the Numbers Mean?

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). A reading of "120 over 80" means a systolic pressure of 120mmHg and diastolic pressure of 80mmHg.

Blood Pressure Categories

Based on NHS and British Heart Foundation guidelines:

Blood Pressure Chart by Age

Blood pressure tends to increase with age. Here are typical ranges:

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

Factors You Can Control

• Diet: Too much salt, saturated fat, and processed foods
• Weight: Being overweight or obese increases strain on your heart
• Physical activity: Sedentary lifestyle raises BP
• Alcohol: Drinking more than recommended limits
• Smoking: Nicotine raises blood pressure temporarily and damages arteries
• Stress: Chronic stress contributes to high BP
• Sleep: Poor sleep quality, especially sleep apnoea

Factors You Cannot Control

• Age: Blood pressure tends to rise with age
• Family history: Genetics play a role
• Ethnicity: Black African and Caribbean people have higher risk
• Kidney disease: Can cause secondary hypertension

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms. Most people don't know they have it until it's measured. This is why regular checks are essential.

In severe cases (hypertensive crisis), symptoms may include:

• Severe headache
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Vision problems
• Nosebleeds
• Irregular heartbeat

How to Measure Blood Pressure

At Your GP Surgery

NHS recommends adults have their blood pressure checked every 5 years from age 40 (earlier if you have risk factors). Your GP or practice nurse will use a cuff that inflates around your upper arm.

At Home

Home monitoring is increasingly recommended, especially for diagnosing hypertension or monitoring treatment effectiveness. For accurate readings:

1. Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
2. Use a validated, upper-arm monitor (wrist monitors are less accurate)
3. Sit with your back supported and arm at heart level
4. Don't talk during the measurement
5. Take two readings 1-2 minutes apart and record both
6. Measure at the same time each day (morning and evening ideally)
7. Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand

Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally

DASH Diet

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is clinically proven to lower blood pressure:

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Choose low-fat dairy products
• Include lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans)
• Limit saturated fat and sugars
• Reduce sodium to less than 6g per day (about 1 teaspoon)

Exercise

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Regular exercise can reduce systolic BP by 5-8mmHg. Good options include:

• Brisk walking
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Dancing
• Gardening

Other Lifestyle Changes

• Lose weight: Even 5kg loss can significantly lower BP
• Limit alcohol: Stick to 14 units per week maximum
• Stop smoking: Quitting reduces cardiovascular risk
• Reduce stress: Try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing
• Sleep well: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep

Blood Pressure Medication

If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your GP may prescribe medication. Common types include:

Many people need a combination of medications to achieve target blood pressure. Always take medication as prescribed and attend regular reviews.

When to See a Doctor

• Your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90mmHg
• You have symptoms of low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting)
• You're on medication and readings aren't improving
• You're experiencing side effects from medication
• You have other risk factors (diabetes, family history of heart disease)

NHS Free Health Check

If you're aged 40-74 in England and don't have a pre-existing condition, you're entitled to a free NHS Health Check every 5 years. This includes blood pressure measurement along with checks for diabetes risk, cholesterol, and BMI.

Blood Pressure and the NHS: What UK Residents Need to Know

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most significant public health challenges facing the United Kingdom. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), approximately 14 million people in England alone have high blood pressure, and it is estimated that around 5 million of these are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. The NHS Health Check programme, available to adults aged 40 to 74 in England who do not already have a diagnosed cardiovascular condition, includes blood pressure measurement as one of its core components and has been instrumental in identifying previously undiagnosed cases of hypertension across the country.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which produces clinical guidelines for the NHS, recommends that hypertension is diagnosed using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) rather than relying solely on surgery readings. Under NICE guideline NG136, when an initial clinic reading is elevated (140/90 mmHg or above), patients should be offered 24-hour ABPM to confirm the diagnosis. This approach accounts for the well-documented phenomenon of white coat syndrome, where anxiety in a clinical setting causes temporarily elevated readings. The ABPM threshold for diagnosing hypertension is 135/85 mmHg (lower than the clinic threshold because daytime ambulatory readings tend to be slightly lower).

For UK patients diagnosed with hypertension, the NHS provides free prescriptions for blood pressure medication in England (prescriptions are already free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Common first-line treatments include ACE inhibitors (such as ramipril), angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan), and calcium channel blockers (such as amlodipine). NICE guidelines recommend that patients under 55 are typically started on an ACE inhibitor, while those over 55 or of Black African or Caribbean descent are usually offered a calcium channel blocker first. Regular monitoring through GP appointments and home blood pressure readings is recommended to ensure that treatment is effective and to adjust medications as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Pressure in the UK

NHS Cardiovascular Risk Assessments and NICE Hypertension Guidelines

In the United Kingdom, blood pressure monitoring forms a cornerstone of the NHS Health Check programme, which offers free cardiovascular risk assessments to adults aged 40 to 74 who do not already have a diagnosed cardiovascular condition. These checks, delivered through GP surgeries and community pharmacies across England, assess an individual's ten-year risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, or type 2 diabetes. Blood pressure measurement is a central component of this assessment, alongside cholesterol testing, BMI measurement, and lifestyle questionnaire analysis. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publishes comprehensive hypertension guidelines (NICE guideline NG136) that set out the diagnostic thresholds and treatment pathways used by clinicians throughout the NHS.

Under NICE guidelines, a diagnosis of hypertension is confirmed using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), where patients wear a portable device that takes readings every 30 minutes over a 24-hour period. This approach reduces the impact of white coat syndrome, where anxiety about medical settings causes temporarily elevated readings. NICE recommends that adults with confirmed stage 1 hypertension (clinic readings of 140/90 mmHg or above) who have a ten-year cardiovascular risk of 10% or greater should be offered antihypertensive medication alongside lifestyle modifications. For stage 2 hypertension (clinic readings of 160/100 mmHg or above), drug treatment is recommended regardless of cardiovascular risk score. The guidelines also emphasise non-pharmacological interventions, including reducing dietary salt intake, increasing physical activity to at least 150 minutes per week, moderating alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight, all of which can meaningfully reduce blood pressure readings over time.

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring in the UK

Home blood pressure monitoring has become increasingly important in UK healthcare, with NICE guidelines recommending that patients use validated home monitors to supplement clinic readings and support ongoing management of hypertension. The British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) maintains a list of clinically validated blood pressure monitors that meet international accuracy standards, and the NHS advises patients to choose a device from this validated list rather than relying on unvalidated monitors, which may give inaccurate readings. Validated upper arm monitors are widely available from UK pharmacies including Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, and Superdrug, as well as from online retailers, typically costing between 20 and 60 pounds. Wrist monitors are generally considered less accurate and are not recommended by most UK clinicians unless upper arm measurement is not possible.

Blood Pressure UK, the national charity dedicated to blood pressure awareness, runs the annual Know Your Numbers campaign each September, encouraging adults across the United Kingdom to have their blood pressure checked at free testing stations set up in workplaces, pharmacies, and community venues. The charity estimates that around five million adults in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure, representing a significant preventable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and vascular dementia. Community pharmacies play a growing role in blood pressure screening through the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service, launched in 2021, which enables pharmacists to identify patients with elevated readings and refer them directly to their GP for further assessment and diagnosis without the patient needing to make a separate appointment.

Dr. Sarah Chen, PhD

Research Scientist, Public Health

Sarah holds a PhD in Public Health from the University of Edinburgh and has published research on UK health metrics and obesity trends. She translates complex medical data into practical, accessible guidance for everyday readers.