For urgent after-hours in-person care the nearest clinic is White Cross Ascot, 90 Greenlane East, Remuera, Auckland. Phone 09 520 9555. For emergencies, please call an ambulance 111, or go to Auckland City Hospital, Park Road, Grafton.
Having your blood pressure checked is one of the simplest and most useful health checks available, yet many people go years without knowing their numbers. High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, which is why it is often called the silent risk factor. Left unchecked, it quietly raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. This guide explains what blood pressure is, what the numbers mean, who should be checked and how often, and what you can do to keep your readings in a healthy range.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It is written as two numbers, for example 120 over 80, and measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
Blood pressure varies through the day and with activity, stress, and caffeine, so a single reading is only a snapshot. The general ranges below are a guide for adults based on a clinic measurement.
| Category | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below 120 | Below 80 |
| Slightly raised | 120 to 139 | 80 to 89 |
| High (hypertension) | 140 or higher | 90 or higher |
| Very high (seek prompt review) | 180 or higher | 120 or higher |
One high reading does not mean you have high blood pressure. A diagnosis is based on several readings over time, and sometimes on home or 24 hour monitoring. Readings taken at home are usually a little lower than at the clinic, where a threshold of around 135 over 85 is often used. Your GP looks at the pattern, not a single number.
When blood pressure stays high over time, it strains the heart and damages the arteries. This raises the risk of several serious conditions, often without any warning signs until damage has occurred.
High blood pressure is one of the leading contributors to heart disease and stroke in New Zealand, and it is also one of the most treatable.
Most people with high blood pressure feel completely well, which is why regular checks matter. Very high blood pressure can occasionally cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, or shortness of breath. These symptoms need prompt medical attention, but waiting for symptoms is not a safe way to detect high blood pressure.
Most adults should have their blood pressure checked as part of routine care, even when they feel well. As a general guide:
In New Zealand, blood pressure is usually checked as part of a wider heart and diabetes risk assessment. This is generally offered earlier for Māori, Pacific, and South Asian people, who are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease at a younger age. Your GP can advise when assessment is right for you.
Lifestyle changes are the foundation of managing blood pressure, and for some people they are enough to bring readings back to a healthy level. Where needed, medication is added to reduce the long term risk of heart attack and stroke.
If lifestyle changes are not enough, or your blood pressure or overall heart risk is high, your GP may recommend medication. Several effective and well tolerated options are available in New Zealand, and your GP will choose based on your readings, age, and other health conditions. It is important to keep taking blood pressure medication as prescribed, even when you feel well, and to attend reviews so treatment can be adjusted.
Low blood pressure is often not a problem and can be normal for fit, healthy people. It is worth reviewing with your GP if it causes symptoms such as dizziness, light headedness, fainting, or blurred vision, particularly when standing up, as this can occasionally point to an underlying issue or a medication side effect.
Seek urgent care or call 111 if you have a very high reading with:
For most adults, a normal clinic reading is below 120 over 80. Readings between 120 over 80 and 139 over 89 are slightly raised, and 140 over 90 or higher is generally considered high. Your GP interprets your numbers alongside your age and overall heart health.
Yes. Home monitoring can be helpful and often gives a truer picture than a single clinic reading, since some people are anxious at the clinic. Use a validated upper arm monitor, sit and rest first, and take readings at the same times each day. Share the results with your GP.
For many people, high blood pressure is a long term condition that is managed rather than cured. Lifestyle changes can lower readings significantly, and some people reduce or stop medication under GP guidance. Ongoing monitoring is important even when readings improve.
Not always. Some people control their blood pressure with lifestyle changes alone, while others need medication long term to protect against heart attack and stroke. Your GP reviews your treatment over time and adjusts it as your needs change.
If your readings are normal, every few years is often enough, or whenever you see your GP. If your readings are raised or you have other risk factors, your GP will recommend checking more often. A check takes only a few minutes.
This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. For guidance specific to your situation, see your GP.
CityMed Medical Centre in Auckland CBD offers blood pressure checks, heart and diabetes risk assessments, and ongoing support to manage high blood pressure.
A quick check today can give you peace of mind or catch a problem early, while it is easiest to treat.
Book online at citymed.co.nz or call our reception.
