To help you get and stay in control, your doctor may recommend that you monitor your blood pressure at home. It is the blood pressure when the heart pumps.
Diastolic pressure is the second number.
It is the blood pressure when the heart rests. Average normal adult blood pressure is 120 systolic over 80 diastolic. These numbers vary with activity and are higher during exercise and lower when at rest. If your doctor recommends that you monitor your blood pressure at home, he or she will help determine how often you need to monitor, at what time of day and when you need to return for more office visits. Also call your doctor if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headaches or palpitations because people with high blood pressure are at greater risk for stroke, heart attacks and kidney damage.