Blood Pressure Calculator
The best way to understand your blood pressure is by checking it regularly.
Enter the results of your blood pressure checks into our free blood pressure calculator provided by the NHS to understand what your reading means.
WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood pressure is the pressure that your circulating blood places on the walls of your arteries as it travels around your body.
High blood pressure (Hypertension) puts extra strain on your arteries and organs and over time this can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening issues such as heart attacks and strokes.
Low blood pressure (Hypotension) is generally less serious but may cause lightheadedness and dizzy spells.
For most people high blood pressure has no noticeable symptoms, approximately one third of people who have it are unaware. A blood pressure test takes minutes and could save your life.
HOW DOES THE BLOOD PRESSURE CALCULATOR WORK?
This blood pressure calculator is sourced from the NHS and can instantly help you understand your reading. Enter the two numbers from your reading into the blood pressure checker and click ‘Submit’. The blood pressure checker will calculate your reading and summarise what your reading means.
The blood pressure tool will explain your reading and give advice from the NHS on improving or maintaining healthy blood pressure.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Blood Pressure
- Quitting smoking. Not only does this lower your blood pressure, but it also reduces your risk of some of the serious complications of having raised blood pressure (hence it’s inclusion in the calculator tool that GP’s use). If you try out the calculator, have a go at changing your smoking status to see what difference it makes to your risk.
- Increasing exercise. If you are after one lifestyle change that can reap a whole host of benefits (apart from quitting smoking), increasing your exercise may be it: Not only can it reduce high blood pressure, it also has a direct effect on boosting the health of the heart and the blood vessels. What’s more, it can also help to improve your cholesterol, reduce stress, and can burn more calories, therefore helping reduce excess weight. Ideally aim for 30 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous activity. If this is a big jump up from your current activity levels, please don’t be put off from starting – make small, achievable goals that you can adjust every 2 – 4 weeks. Any increase in movement towards the end goal of 30 minutes/day is a metaphorical and literal step in the right direction.
Read: Easy Way to Exercise for 30 Minutes a Day
- Reducing stress. How this is achieved will probably look somewhat different for each person reading this. You may well already know what works best for you, but if not, here are some ideas to get you started: breathing exercises, yoga, prioritising good sleep hygiene, staying connected with others, analysing sources of stress (e.g., workload) for possible changes.
WHEN SHOULD I CHECK MY BLOOD PRESSURE
A regular blood pressure check is the best way of monitoring blood pressure. You can request a blood pressure test from a GP or pharmacy, or take a reading at home using a blood pressure monitor.
Read: Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
If you have been diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, or have a higher risk of developing either it is advisable to check your blood pressure more frequently. It is recommended that adults over 40 should check their blood pressure at least every 5 years to detect any potential issues early.
This blood pressure checker is sourced from the NHS, all recommendations given by the blood pressure tool are supplied by the NHS website. Use the blood pressure checker as often as you wish.
How to take your blood pressure
You can take your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure monitor and use the blood pressure calculator as guidance on what your reading means. Ensure the monitor has been clinically validated. Find a list of blood pressure monitors available for home use on the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) website.
- Sit quietly and comfortably on a chair with legs uncrossed and feet flat on the ground with an even surface in front of you.
- Place your arm on the surface in front of you so that it is supported level with your heart. Remove tight clothing and wrap the cuff around your upper arm.
- Activate the blood pressure monitor, the cuff will inflate to restrict the blood flow in your arm is it gauges your blood pressure. This will last for a short time.
- As the cuff deflates, your reading is displayed on the monitor. Enter the two numbers into the blood pressure checker to determine the health of your reading.
A blood pressure reading gives two numbers.
The top systolic reading gives the pressure of your blood on your arteries at it travels around your body.
The bottom diastolic reading is the lowest pressure on your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
Enter these numbers into the blood pressure calculator and ‘Submit’. The blood pressure calculator will instantly summarise your reading and give recommendations.
Record readings entered into the blood pressure checker to monitor changes and seek medical advice if you are concerned about any results using the blood pressure calculator.
Do I need to use a blood pressure checker?
You may not need a blood pressure checker for every reading, but it will help manage blood pressure health. As you become familiar with your readings, using a blood pressure checker will advise how to improve and maintain healthy blood pressure.
The blood pressure calculator can be accessed via desktop, tablet or mobile.
If you have questions about taking blood pressure or using the blood pressure checker, contact us. If you are concerned about your reading after using this blood pressure calculator or any other blood pressure checker, seek medical advice.
Blood Pressure Chart
Use our blood pressure table to see what your reading means.
Stage 1 Hypertension
Average home readings of >135/85 mmHg or clinic readings of >140/90 mmHg, but less than Stage 2.
Typically, medical treatment would be offered in addition to lifestyle advice if the person is less than 80 years old and have any of the following: established damage in the body from hypertension, known to be at increased risk of damage, or if they have kidney disease, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
For those 80y or older, it is important to consider potential frailty and the associated risks of causing more harm by treating (e.g., lowering the blood pressure by so much that they fall and break a hip, or risks from the medication itself).
Stage 2 Hypertension
Average home readings of >150/95 mmHg or clinic readings of >160/110 mmHg but less than Stage 3. Generally, all ages would be offered treatment in addition to lifestyle advice.
Those under 40 years old may be referred for further investigations into a possible underlying cause.
Stage 3 Hypertension
A clinic reading of 180/120 mmHg (this means either the top reading is above 180 mmHg or the bottom reading is above 120 mmHg – they don’t both need to be above this level).
Usually, these patients need to be seen in A&E, especially if there are any other concerning signs or symptoms such as new confusion, chest pain, ankle swelling, shortness of breath, or visual changes.
Read: Natural Treatments for High Blood Pressure
CHOOSE THE RIGHT BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR FOR YOU
- Irregular heartbeat detection
- Universal cuff 22cm - 42cm
- 90 reading memory x 1 user
- Clinically validated - BIHS & ESH approved
- Irregular heartbeat detection
- Universal cuff 22cm - 42cm
- 90 reading memory x 1 user
- Clinically validated – BIHS & ESH approved
- One button operation
- Irregular heartbeat detection
- Wrist operated
- Universal wrist cuff
- 60 reading memory x 2 user
- Movement detection
- Clinically validated – BIHS & ESH approved
- Irregular heartbeat detection
- Universal cuff 22cm - 42cm
- 90 reading memory x 2 users
- Morning hypertension detector
- Movement detection
- Clinically validated - BIHS and ESH
- Suitable during pregnancy and for diabetics
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Irregular heartbeat detection
- Universal cuff 22cm - 45cm
- 250 reading memory x 2 users
- Movement detection
- Clinically validated
