High blood pressure

High blood pressure has been called a silent killer

Campaigners are hoping that one day we'll all know exactly what our blood pressure is, just as we now know how much we weigh.

This week, the Blood Pressure Association will be offering free checks to members of the public, at around 1,000 venues across the country.

On Breakfast our presenter Dermot Murnaghan had his blood pressure taken as he found out more on Blood Pressure Testing week with Professor Graham McGregor and Nurse, Rosemary Coultard.

Click here to watch this discussion

High blood pressure is the major cause of stroke and a very important factor in heart attacks. More than one third of the adult population in the UK have high blood pressure but less than half are aware of it.

"Many people only discover they have high blood pressure after suffering a devastating event such as a stroke or heart attack,"says the Chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, Professor Graham MacGregor. The BPA wants everyone to know their blood pressure - that this "know their numbers" and reduce that risk. "

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Is my blood pressure too high?

When your blood pressure is checked, you may be confused by the results.

You are given two measurements: the Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and the Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP).

These relate to your heart beats: your SBP measures the pressure when your heart contracts to pump blood, and the DBP measures the blood pressure when the heart muscle relaxes.

Your blood pressure may vary naturally during your lifetime. For instance, blood pressure naturally falls during pregancy. A blood pressure level which would be acceptable in a non-pregnant woman, may cause alarm bells to ring if you're having a baby.

This is rough guide to blood pressure levels (excluding pregnancy)

Normal SBP less than 130 and DBP less than 85

High Normal SBP 130-139 or DBP 85-89

Stage I (mild) SBP 140-159 or DBP 90-99

Stage II (moderate) SBP 160-179 or DBP 100-109

Stage III (severe) SBP 180-209 or DBP 110-119

Stage IV (very severe) SBP greater than 210 or DBP greater than 120