Blood pressure test at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

A blood pressure test measures pressure inside your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. Blood pressure changes continually depending on activity, temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, physical state, and medication use, however when resting a healthy person's blood pressure usually falls within a certain range.

High or low blood pressure is itself dangerous and can also be a symptom of conditions ranging from infections and erectile dysfunction to coronary heart disease.

Regular tests can help you get the right treatment when you need it or simply give you peace of mind. If you already have a diagnosis, testing can confirm that your current treatment is controlling the condition.

If you are having a heart health assessment we may take your blood pressure during your assessment or you may be given a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. This records the changes in your blood pressure by measuring it at intervals over a period of time.

We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. 

All of our nurses are of the highest standard and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals and clinics.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

If the test is to diagnose or monitor high blood pressure, it’s a good idea to urinate before you have it. Food, coffee (and other drinks with caffeine) and smoking can also affect the test result so avoid them for an hour beforehand.

Bring along a list of the medicines (both prescription and over the counter) you’re taking: some affect your blood pressure.

Most of us have had our blood pressure taken and it’s a one-minute procedure in which a clinician inflates a soft cuff placed around your arm and listens to your pulse.

Your Spire doctor will have the results immediately and will discuss them with you. It’s possible you may have more than one blood pressure test in a session or your doctor might ask you to return several times as the result can vary almost from moment to moment.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.