What this tool is for

Blood pressure readings can feel confusing, especially when you are handed two numbers and told one is a bit high or a bit low without much else to go on. This tool takes your reading and gives you back a plain English explanation of what it means, so you can make sense of the figures your GP, pharmacist, or home monitor has shown you.

It is not a diagnosis and it will not replace a chat with your doctor, but it will help you understand the context behind the numbers.

When to use it

It is aimed at anyone in the UK who has taken a blood pressure reading and wants to know what it actually says about their health. That might be someone who has just bought a home monitor, someone keeping an eye on their numbers after a GP appointment, or a family member checking a reading on behalf of an older relative.

If you have been told your blood pressure is slightly raised and you want to know what the numbers mean before your next check, or if you are simply curious about whether your reading sits in the normal range, this is a sensible starting point. If your reading looks very high or very low, or you feel unwell, contact NHS 111 or your GP rather than relying on a web tool.

How it works

You enter the top number (systolic) and the bottom number (diastolic) from your reading, along with a few optional details to give the result a bit more context. The tool then gives you a short summary in everyday language, tells you which category your reading falls into, and offers practical suggestions for keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range, such as small changes to diet, activity, sleep, and stress. Nothing you enter is saved or linked to you, so you can use it as often as you like.