Low or no data? Visit Zero Data then search for 'Healthify'. Click on our logo to return to our site and browse for free.

Blood pressure (mate pēhanga toto)

Key points about blood pressure (mate pēhanga toto)

Blood pressure (BP) is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body.
If your blood pressure is high, your heart works harder with every heartbeat. Constant high blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. This increases your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health issues.
If your blood pressure is low, it's not usually a problem, but for some people low blood pressure may cause dizziness or is a sign of an underlying problem.
You should have your blood pressure checked regularly. How often depends on your age, risk factors and general health.

Print this page

Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. It's affected by the strength with which your heart is pumping and the resistance in your arteries. Therefore it can change depending on how healthy your heart is and whether your arteries have been narrowed due to cholesterol build up in the walls, or atherosclerosis.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (which is written as mmHg). Blood pressure readings are a combination of 2 measurements:

Systolic – the highest pressure against your arteries as your heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 130 mmHg.
Diastolic – the pressure against your arteries as your heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80 mmHg.

Blood pressure readings are described as the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure so you may be told it's 130 over 78 for example. That would be written as 130/78.

Video: Blood pressure animation – heart disease risk factors

( Heart Foundation, NZ, 2015)

Image credit: Healthify He Puna Waiora

Blood pressure is measured by inflating a cuff around your arm. This is connected to a device that measures pressure. The test is easy and painless. The cuff can be inflated manually by pumping a bulb, or some devices for measuring blood pressure inflate at the touch of a button. Some blood pressure monitors have a cuff for your wrist or finger, but using one with an arm cuff generally gives a more accurate reading.

You are likely to have your blood pressure measured during appointments with your healthcare provider but you may find it helpful to monitor it regularly at home. For example if you know you have high blood pressure and have been advised to check it regularly, or if you have a health condition such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Some people find their blood pressure is higher than it usually is when it's taken at their medical practice, this is known as white-coat syndrome (for the white coats doctors used to wear). If this is the case for you, you may get more accurate measurements if you take them at home.

High blood pressure is often called a ‘silent killer’ because, for most people, there are no symptoms. This means many people are unaware they have high blood pressure.

As an adult it's important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. The age at which you should start having heart and diabetes checks depends on your ethnicity and other risk factors.

Risk factors	Age to start having heart (and diabetes) checks
If you have no known risk factors	Men: 45 years Women: 55 years
If you are Māori, Pasifika or South Asian¹	Men: 30 years Women: 40 years
If you have the following risk factors: you smoke you have a family history of diabetes, high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke² you have gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or prediabetes you are overweight³ you have kidney disease you have high blood pressure or cholesterol you have previously had heart trouble or stroke you have a heart condition such as atrial fibrillation.	Men: 35 years Women: 45 years
If you have diabetes (type 1 or 2)	As part of your yearly diabetes review
If you have schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or other severe mental illness	25 years
South-Asian peoples: Indian, including Fijian Indian, Sri Lankan, Afghan people, Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Pakistani, Tibetan Family history: parent, brother or sister Overweight: BMI ≥ 30 or weight around your tummy (waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men or ≥ 88 cm in women)

If your blood pressure is high, read more about high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure is low, read more about low blood pressure.

Apps reviewed by Healthify

You may find it useful to look at some blood pressure apps.

High blood pressure | Mate pēhanga toto
Low blood pressure
Measuring your blood pressure at home

Blood pressure test(external link) NHS, UK
Watch, learn and live – blood pressure(external link) American Heart Association
Blood pressure and your heart(external link) Heart Foundation, NZ

Need help now?

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Reviewed by: Dr Art Nahill, Consultant General Physician and Clinical Educator

Last reviewed: 10 Dec 2024

Blood pressure (mate pēhanga toto)

Key points about blood pressure (mate pēhanga toto)

What is blood pressure? (+ VIDEO)

Video: Blood pressure animation – heart disease risk factors

How is blood pressure measured?

When should I get my blood pressure checked? (+ APPS)

Apps reviewed by Healthify

Related topics on Healthify

More information

Resources

Apps

References

Information for healthcare providers

Need help now?