Blood Pressure Calculator UK | NHS BP Category Checker

According to the NHS, a normal (ideal) blood pressure reading is between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. The first number (systolic) measures pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out. The second number (diastolic) measures pressure when your heart rests between beats. A reading consistently above 140/90 mmHg is considered high blood pressure (hypertension) and may require treatment. Blood pressure naturally varies throughout the day — it tends to be higher in the morning and lower at night. A single high reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension; your GP will want multiple readings over time.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the average blood pressure in your arteries during one complete cardiac cycle. It is calculated as: MAP = Diastolic + (1/3 × (Systolic - Diastolic)). A normal MAP ranges from 70 to 100 mmHg. MAP below 60 mmHg means insufficient blood flow to organs, which is a medical emergency. MAP is used in hospital settings to assess whether organs are receiving adequate blood perfusion. Doctors consider MAP a more accurate indicator of blood flow to vital organs than systolic or diastolic pressure alone.

The NHS recommends healthy adults have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years through their GP or at a pharmacy. If you're over 40 or have risk factors (family history, overweight, smoking, diabetes, kidney disease), check annually. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend home monitoring — typically twice daily (morning and evening) for the first week after any medication change, then twice a week. When measuring at home, sit quietly for 5 minutes first, use an upper arm cuff (not wrist), and take two readings one minute apart. Record the lower reading.

In most cases (about 90-95%), high blood pressure has no single identifiable cause — this is called primary or essential hypertension. Risk factors include: age (blood vessels stiffen with age), family history, being overweight (BMI over 25), eating too much salt (UK average is 8.1g/day vs recommended 6g), not exercising enough, drinking too much alcohol (over 14 units/week), smoking, high caffeine intake, stress, and sleep deprivation. Secondary hypertension (caused by an underlying condition) accounts for 5-10% of cases and can be due to kidney disease, thyroid problems, adrenal gland tumours, or certain medications. About 1 in 3 UK adults has high blood pressure, but many don't know it.

Yes, lifestyle changes can significantly lower blood pressure: (1) Reduce salt to under 6g/day — can lower systolic BP by 2-8 mmHg. (2) Exercise 150 minutes/week of moderate activity — lowers BP by 5-8 mmHg. (3) Lose weight if overweight — each kg lost reduces systolic BP by about 1 mmHg. (4) Limit alcohol to 14 units/week. (5) Eat a DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. (6) Quit smoking — BP drops within 20 minutes of last cigarette. (7) Reduce stress through relaxation techniques. (8) Cut caffeine to under 4 cups of coffee daily. The NHS advises trying lifestyle changes for 3-6 months before considering medication, unless BP is very high (180/120+) or you have existing health conditions.

A hypertensive crisis is when blood pressure reaches 180/120 mmHg or higher. There are two types: (1) Hypertensive urgency — very high BP without organ damage symptoms. Rest for 5 minutes and recheck. If still high, contact NHS 111 or your GP urgently. (2) Hypertensive emergency — very high BP WITH symptoms like severe headache, chest pain, vision changes, difficulty breathing, numbness, weakness, or confusion. Call 999 immediately. This is a medical emergency that can cause stroke, heart attack, kidney damage, or aortic dissection. Do NOT attempt to lower your blood pressure rapidly at home — rapid BP reduction can be dangerous and should only be done under medical supervision.

Yes, white coat hypertension is a well-recognised condition where blood pressure is elevated in clinical settings (GP surgery, hospital) but normal at home. It affects approximately 15-30% of people diagnosed with high blood pressure. The anxiety of having BP measured by a healthcare professional causes a temporary spike. To diagnose white coat hypertension, your GP may recommend ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) — wearing a portable monitor for 24 hours that takes readings every 30 minutes. Home blood pressure monitoring is also used. While white coat hypertension was previously considered harmless, recent research suggests it may indicate a higher risk of developing sustained hypertension later. Regular monitoring is recommended.