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Generally a normal blood pressure reading is considered 120/80. The top number (120) is our systolic pressure and the bottom number (80) relates to the diastolic pressure. But just what is systolic and diastolic pressure?

Systolic pressure (the top figure) is the arterial blood pressure exerted when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the arteries in the body. Whilst the diastolic pressure (the bottom figure) relates to the pressure in the heart as it rest between each heartbeat.

You may have noticed that the systolic and diastolic measurements are sometimes measured in mm Hg. This is shorthand for millimetres of Mercury, as Hg is the chemical symbol for mercury.

Up until relatively recently the most convenient way to measure blood pressure was to use a device that incorporated tubes filled with mercury, that would rise and fall to display the persons blood pressure.

There are of course now electronic devices that are used in most doctors surgery, which tend to be more convenient. Also, there is a growing market in home blood pressure monitors that allow people to track their progress of any treatment they are receiving.

Generally, one reading is not sufficient to confirm that a person has high blood pressure, unless it is severely elevated. There are a number of factors that can impact on a persons blood pressure reading, including the level of activity prior to the reading, smoking, caffeinated drinks (like tea and coffee), and anxiety or stress.

An example of when this can occur is referred to as *white coat* anxiety, when the person whose blood pressure is being check feels stress or anxiety due to the environment in the surgery.

This is generally why successive checks are carried out to gain a baseline measurement for an individual then a proper treatment plan can be adopted.

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Sometimes the doctor may suggest ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). This means that a person is monitored throughout a 24-hour period as they go about their normal day's routine. You'll be given a cuff to wear that takes your blood pressure automatically at set intervals throughout the day.

This technique measures the blood pressure at regular intervals and stores the information in a chip to be output later. This approach can be useful for those that show erratic and variable blood pressure readings, or a person is showing particular anxiety when being measured in the surgery.

Generally, it is considered normal to have a lower blood pressure reading when on average when checked throughout the day.

As soon as diagnosis has been made then a treatment plan can be prescribed. This can consist of hypertension medication, changes to diet and lifestyle changes, including more exercise and losing weight.

If a person finds himself or herself above the normal blood pressure reading then this may not reflect their baseline state. However, it should be a wake up call to make changes in their lives to bring the blood pressure back to normal levels.