What is Resting Blood Pressure?
Resting blood pressure refers to the pressure exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries when the body is at rest. Your blood pressure will go up and down naturally throughout the day depending on what you are doing, especially if you are doing exercise. It is typically measured using a sphygmomanometer and reported as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart rests between beats). For example, a reading of “120/80 mmHg” indicates a systolic pressure of 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg.
Why is Measuring Resting Blood Pressure Important?
Measuring resting blood pressure is essential for assessing cardiovascular health and identifying potential risks of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications. This is important as cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most common diagnosed health conditions. Resting blood pressure readings aid in detecting hypertension (high blood pressure) or pre-hypertension which places added load to the heart and damages the blood vessels resulting in higher accumulation of cholesterol plaque forming. Regular monitoring enables timely interventions and lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, stress management, and smoking cessation to manage blood pressure levels effectively. Regular monitoring is also a great way to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment (such as medication and lifestyle changes) in controlling blood pressure levels.
Example Communication with the Client when Measuring Resting Blood Pressure
To measure your resting blood pressure I am going to ask you place your forearm with your palm facing up on the table so that it is completely relaxed and supported. I am then going to wrap this cuff around your upper arm and inflate it using this sphygmomanometer. When the cuff is inflated I am going to use a stethoscope to listen for your pulse. You will feel pressure and tightness and may feel a little tingling in your fingers as I take the measure. Are you ok with me doing this? If at any time it is too uncomfortable please let me know.
What was the Result and How Does it Compare to Normative Data?
Your resting blood pressure today 118/76 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This places you in the normal range for adults which is less than 120/80 mmHg.
| CATEGORY | SYSTOLIC BP (mmHg) | DIASTOLIC BP (mmHg) |
| Normal | <120 | <80 |
| High-normal | 120-139 | 80-89 |
| Grade 1 Hypertension | 140-159 | 90-99 |
| Grade 2 Hypertension | 160-179 | 100-109 |
| Grade 3 Hypertension | ≥180 | ≥110 |
Recommendations to the Client
It is great that your resting blood pressure is in the normal category and places you at lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and hypertension. It is important to note that this is a once off reading and something we will continue to monitor. To maintain a healthy cardiovascular system we would like you to aim to complete at least 30 mins of moderate to vigorous exercise on five days a week, eat a nutritious and varied diet and refrain from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. All of which we can discuss in more detail later in the assessment/sessions.
Example for results outside of the normal category:
Today we measured your resting blood pressure to be 140/88 mmHg. This places you in the grade 1 hypertension category. Ideally we measure our resting blood pressure as soon as we wake up as it is more likely to not be affected by any physical activity, nutrition or medication. Have you been made aware that you have had a higher resting blood pressure previously? Have you taken any medications today? Have you had caffeine today? Have you had any cold or flu like symptoms? Are you feeling stressed or anxious? All of these factors can have an impact on our blood pressure. We will continue to monitor your resting blood pressure at the beginning of our sessions. To maintain a healthy cardiovascular system we would like you to aim to complete at least 30 mins of moderate to vigorous exercise on five days a week, eat a nutritious and varied diet and refrain from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. All of which we can discuss in more detail later in the assessment/sessions.
Today we measured your resting heart rate to be 80/60 mmHg. This places you in the normal category. Do you know what your normal resting blood pressure is? Have you taken any medications today? Have you had any cold or flu like symptoms? Are you feeling dizzy or lightheaded or have in the past? All of these factors can have an impact on our blood pressure. We will continue to monitor your resting blood pressure at the beginning of our sessions. To maintain a healthy cardiovascular system we would like you to aim to complete at least 30 mins of moderate to vigorous exercise on five days a week, eat a nutritious and varied diet and refrain from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. All of which we can discuss in more detail later in the assessment/sessions.
How to Measure a Resting Blood Pressure
For a detailed guide on how to take a resting blood pressure click here.