Normal blood pressure: numbers explained (and when to act)

Health advice ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

For most adults, a normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg, according to the Heart Foundation. Blood pressure is considered high when readings are consistently 140/90 mmHg or above. One reading on its own isn’t a diagnosis, so it’s the pattern over time that matters.

You can get a quick check at the Health Station in our Pacific Fair pharmacy. Here’s how to read the numbers and when to take the next step.

What do the two blood pressure numbers mean?

Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 120/80 mmHg (said “120 over 80”). The unit, mmHg, means millimetres of mercury.

• The top number is systolic pressure. It’s the pressure in your arteries when your heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out.
• The bottom number is diastolic pressure. It’s the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.

Either number can be high on its own. healthdirect notes that blood pressure counts as high if the systolic number, the diastolic number, or both are consistently raised.

What is a normal blood pressure? The categories explained

This table shows the adult categories from the Australian guideline, as set out by healthdirect. The Heart Foundation describes a normal reading as under 120/80 mmHg, which matches the “optimal” row below.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Low blood pressure is usually a reading below 90/60 mmHg. It often causes no problems, but talk to your GP if you feel dizzy or faint.
• Your doctor will tell you what your own target should be, based on your health history. The Heart Foundation is also updating Australia’s hypertension guideline in stages, so ask your GP what the current advice means for you.

Why one reading isn’t a diagnosis

Blood pressure goes up and down throughout the day. Walking briskly from the car park, rushing to an appointment, a strong coffee, a full bladder, pain or stress can all push a reading up for a while. That’s why doctors look at repeated readings before they diagnose high blood pressure.

A high reading at the pharmacy is a prompt to check again, not a reason to panic. A normal reading is reassuring, but it doesn’t mean you can skip regular checks.

Home vs in-store blood pressure checks

Checking in store

A Health Station check is quick and handy when you’re already at Pacific Fair. It’s a useful way to spot a reading worth following up, or to keep an eye on things between GP visits. Write your result down or take a photo of it so you can show your doctor.

Checking at home

Your GP may ask you to monitor at home to get a clearer picture. The Heart Foundation and healthdirect recommend:

• Using a validated monitor. Choose an automatic machine with a cuff that fits around your upper arm. Wrist and finger monitors aren’t recommended.
• Preparing first. Avoid caffeine and smoking for 30 minutes beforehand, empty your bladder, and rest quietly for 5 minutes.
• Sitting correctly. Keep both feet flat on the floor with legs uncrossed, your back supported, and your bare arm resting at heart level.
• Taking two readings, one minute apart, and recording both.
• Measuring for 7 days (at least 5), usually morning and evening, at around the same times, or as your doctor advises.

Bring your log to your GP appointment, whether it’s on paper or in an app.

How often should you have your blood pressure checked?

The Heart Foundation recommends that everyone aged 18 and over has their blood pressure checked at least every two years. If you’re 45 or older, blood pressure should be part of a regular heart health check with your GP. You may need more frequent checks if your readings have been high before, you’re pregnant, or your doctor has asked you to monitor.

High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, and healthdirect estimates it affects around 1 in 3 Australian adults. Many people only find out when they have it checked.

Lifestyle factors that affect blood pressure

Your genes and age play a part, but the Heart Foundation highlights things you can change:

• Eat less salt. Watch processed foods, takeaway and sauces.
• Swap unhealthy fats for healthier ones.
• Move more. Aim for around 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. A walk along the beach or the Broadwater parklands counts.
• Keep to a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke.
• Limit alcohol.

Some medicines can also affect blood pressure. If you take several medicines, including ones from the supermarket or complementary medicines, a medication review with a pharmacist can help you understand how they fit together.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

• Talk to a pharmacist if you’d like a check, help choosing a validated home monitor, or advice on how your medicines might affect your blood pressure.
• See a GP if your readings are regularly 140/90 mmHg or higher, if you’re in the high-normal range and have other risk factors such as diabetes or a family history of heart disease, if your readings are very different from one day to the next, or if low readings make you feel dizzy or faint. Our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option.
• Keep taking prescribed blood pressure medicines unless your doctor tells you otherwise, even if your readings look good.

Emergency signs: call 000

healthdirect advises calling triple zero (000) straight away if high blood pressure comes with symptoms such as:

• a severe headache, which may be felt at the back of the head
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• vomiting
• vision problems
• confusion
• a seizure

Don’t wait to recheck your blood pressure first.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.