Blood pressure readings

Do you understand your blood pressure readings?

Are the blood pressure numbers a mystery to you? Read on and discover more.

Blood pressure readings are always expressed as two different numbers separated by a slash - for
example: 120/80 or 135/78

The first number given is called the systolic blood pressure and it represents the pressure in your heart and
blood vessel system at the time when the heart is contracting most strongly. The heart has to squeeze hard
and contract to pump the blood around your body. When it does this it generates pressure and the peak of
this pressure level is your systolic blood pressure - the upper number in the reading.

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Blood Pressure Readings

Diastolic blood pressure reading

The second number in your blood pressure reading - the one after the slash (/) is called the diastolic blood
pressure. It represents the pressure left in the system when the heart is fully relaxed and getting ready to
pump again at the next beat. The heart needs to relax to allow it to fill up with blood again but the pressure
never drops to zero. This residual pressure in the heart and circulation system is called the diastolic blood
pressure.

Normal blood pressure readings

Under normal circumstances your systolic blood pressure should be between 90 and 140 - and your
diastolic blood pressure should be between 60 and 90.

If you browse around this site you'll find lots more information about how to interpret your own blood
pressure readings - and about what to do if you think your levels are too high or too low.