Benenden Health - Blood Pressure session

Benenden Health was founded in 1905 to provide treatment for postal workers suffering from Tuberculosis. Over the past 115 years, we've supported our members through many crises, and we’re helping to support people now. Member contributions have always been used to support the health and wellbeing of our members. That hasn’t and won’t change now, or in the future.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we’re proud to be part of a community that cares deeply for people’s health and strives to support our members every day, whether it’s through our 24/7 GP and Mental Health helplines, or other services. We all deserve access to great quality, affordable healthcare. After all, our health and wellbeing is never simple, but caring for it should be.

Blood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.

The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.

They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

As a general guide:

• high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you're over the age of 80)
• ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg

Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.

Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.