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Ideal blood pressure is to have a blood pressure that is at or below 120 over 80 (120/80). At this level, you have a much lower risk of heart disease or stroke.
If your blood pressure is ideal, this is great news. By following our healthy living advice, you will be able to keep it this way.
Normal blood pressure is having a blood pressure reading that is above 120 over 80(120/80), but below 140 over 90 (140/90). If your blood pressure is within this range, you should be taking steps to bring it down, or to stop it rising any further. Our five top tips will show you how.
The reason why people with normal blood pressure readings should lower it is that the higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of health problems. For example, a blood pressure level of 135 over 85 (135/85) may be “normal” but someone with this reading is twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as someone with a reading of 115 over 75 (115/75).
What blood pressure readings mean
- Less than 120 over 80 (120/80): Your blood pressure reading is ideal and healthy. Follow a healthy lifestyle to keep it at this level.
- Between 120 over 80 and 140 over 90 (120/80-140/90): You have a normal blood pressure reading but it is a little higher than it should be, and you should try to lower it. Make healthy changes to your lifestyle.
- 140 over 90 (140/90) or higher (over a number of weeks): You may have high blood pressure (hypertension). Change your lifestyle - see your doctor or nurse and take any medicines they may give you.
How you can prevent high blood pressure
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