Quick answer
Blood pressure is how hard your blood pushes on your artery walls; heart rate (pulse) is how many times your heart beats a minute. They often rise together, but not always: one can be high while the other is normal or low.Normal ranges
A resting heart rate of 60–100 beats a minute is normal for adults (lower in very fit people). For blood pressure, under 120/80 is normal.
High blood pressure, low heart rate
Common in people taking beta-blockers and in very fit people. Tell your doctor if you also feel dizzy, faint, short of breath or very tired.
Low blood pressure, high heart rate
The heart speeds up to keep blood flowing, for example with dehydration, bleeding, infection or standing up quickly. With dizziness, fainting or confusion, get help.
A fast pulse isn't the same as high blood pressure
Your pulse can be fast while your blood pressure is normal, and the other way round. Measure both.
During exercise
Both go up while you exercise and come back down afterwards. Compare readings taken at rest.
Your monitor shows both
The pulse number on a home blood pressure monitor is your heart rate.
Questions people also ask
Sources
- American Heart Association (Blood pressure vs. heart rate; Target heart rates).
General information, not medical advice.