What is a normal blood pressure?
Ideally 90/60 up to 120/80. It’s the same for women and men. But average isn’t healthy. In England, 6 in 10 people aged 65 and over have high blood pressure.
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What is a normal blood pressure?
Normal is 90/60 up to 120/80. Blood Pressure UK calls this band ideal, also called normal. At this level you have a much lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
The top number is the peak as your heart pumps blood around your body. The bottom number is the low point as it relaxes between beats.
| Reading | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 90/60 | Low. Usually fine, and may mean you’re fit, but can sometimes make you feel faint or dizzy. |
| 90/60 up to 120/80 | Ideal, also called normal. |
| 120/80 up to 140/90 | Pre-high. Not high yet, but a little higher than it should be. |
| 140/90 or more at a clinic, or 135/85 or more at home | Usually high blood pressure. |
Sources: Blood Pressure UK; NHS; NHS: low blood pressure
Only one number has to be out. Blood Pressure UK says only one of your numbers needs to be too high for high blood pressure. So 145/80 at a clinic counts as a high reading.
Don’t know your numbers? Many pharmacies offer free checks if you’re 40 or over.
Is normal blood pressure different for women and men?
No. The NHS and Blood Pressure UK use one chart for all adults. Neither gives a separate normal for women or men.
There’s a reason. In a million adults, the link between higher blood pressure and dying of heart disease or stroke was similar for men and women.
What differs is the typical reading. In UK studies following 30,000 people, men’s top number ran higher when young.
The gap was biggest at 26, about 8 points higher. Women’s readings then rose faster and caught up by their 60s.
| Age | Men with high blood pressure | Women with high blood pressure |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 44 | 11% | 8% |
| 45 to 64 | 39% | 32% |
| 65 and over | 59% | 60% |
Source: Health Survey for England 2021
These counts come from one visit’s readings and include people taking tablets for it. The ideal is still 90/60 up to 120/80, for a woman of 60 or a man of 30.
What is the average blood pressure?
Average isn’t healthy. Readings tend to rise with age, and the climb speeds up in midlife. In England, high blood pressure goes from 9% of adults aged 16 to 44 to 60% at 65 and over.
Think of a 50 mph road where most drivers do 60. Then 60 is average, but it’s still over the limit.
Going over doesn’t mean you’ll crash, but it makes a crash more likely. Higher blood pressure is linked to more deaths from heart disease and stroke, in middle and older age. The risk kept falling with lower readings, down to at least 115/75.
The line doesn’t move as you age either. Blood Pressure UK says the cut-off for high blood pressure doesn’t change with age. So compare your reading with the chart, not with friends your age.
When is a different number used?
At home, and once you’re diagnosed. At home, the NHS line for high is 135/85.
| Age | Clinic reading | Home average |
|---|---|---|
| Under 80 | Below 140/90 | Below 135/85 |
| 80 and over | Below 150/90 | Below 145/85 |
Source: NICE NG136
These are aims for people already diagnosed. They aren’t a new normal at 80. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
NICE also says to use clinical judgement for people who are frail or have several conditions.
Pregnant? Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition that causes high blood pressure. You’ll be offered regular blood pressure and pee checks at your antenatal appointments, so go to them all.
How do I keep my blood pressure normal?
Start with the habits the NHS lists to help lower blood pressure.
Six NHS habits that help lower blood pressure
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week.
- Lose weight if you’re overweight.
- Avoid salty food and adding salt to your meals.
- Avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis.
- Cut down on caffeine, such as coffee, tea and cola.
- Don’t smoke.
Source: NHS: high blood pressure
Then keep checking. If you’re 40 to 74, the NHS says to get it checked at least once every 5 years as part of the NHS Health Check.
Checking at home? Follow how to measure blood pressure at home. To pick a workout, see exercise for blood pressure.
Got a reading like 130/80 or 150/90? See what your blood pressure reading means.
Higher at the surgery than at home? Read about white coat hypertension.
When to speak to a GP
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Only a check shows it. Speak to a GP or pharmacist if:
- Your reading is 140/90 or more at a pharmacy, or your home average is 135/85 or more.
- You’re 40 or over and haven’t had it checked for more than 5 years.
- Your reading is below 90/60 and you keep getting symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.
- You think you might have high blood pressure, or might be at risk of it.
Get help from NHS 111 if you often have headaches or blurred vision, or chest pain that comes and goes. The same goes for other symptoms you’re worried could be from high blood pressure.
Pregnant or had a baby in the last few weeks? Get urgent help for a severe headache that painkillers don’t ease, blurred vision or flashing lights, or pain below the ribs.
The same goes for sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, feeling very unwell, heartburn that medicine doesn’t ease, or being sick. Call your maternity unit, or 111.
Call 999 for sudden chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away, such as squeezing, pressure, burning or indigestion. Also call for pain spreading to either arm, your neck, jaw, stomach or back. Or chest pain with sweating, feeling sick, light-headed or short of breath.