What is a Normal Blood Pressure for My Age?

When you measure your blood pressure, either at home or at the doctor’s office, do you know what a normal reading looks like? You might refer to a blood pressure chart that tells you what’s normal, elevated, high, or an emergency. But, did you know that normal blood pressure varies by age? A normal, healthy blood pressure reading for your grandmother might be high for you.

The World Health Organization has prioritized addressing high blood pressure because it is so prevalent worldwide. Elevated blood pressure is a possible marker of cardiovascular disease, which is one of the most common conditions and causes of death in England. Blood pressure tells your medical team how your cardiovascular system is functioning, and that’s why most medical exams starts with measuring a patient’s blood pressure-regardless of whether the medical exam is aimed at evaluating heart health.

For that reason, it’s important to know what your blood pressure is doing and whether your blood pressure is where it should be for your age.

What is considered high blood pressure by age group? What is considered normal blood pressure in women, and what is the ideal blood pressure for men? How high can blood pressure be at the age of 40, 50, 60 or 70? Here’s what you need to know.

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Normal Blood Pressure by Age

Most commonly, medical professionals will tell you that normal blood pressure is below 120 over 80. However, this general average value only applies to an adult. The value is usually lower in children and adolescents, and slightly higher in people older than 50.

Blood Pressure Chart by Age: Children

Blood Pressure Chart by Age and Gender: Adults

Is Normal Blood Pressure Different for Men and Women?

On average, girls have lower blood pressure than boys during puberty. In adulthood, this difference decreases as men and women get older, and starting around age 50 women have a normal blood pressure ranges similar to men. The difference between men’s and women’s normal blood pressure amounts to only a few mm/Hg.

A healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and a balanced diet, can usually normalize high blood pressure. If that is not enough, your doctor may prescribe antihypertensive medication to avoid or alleviate cardiovascular problems. In any case, blood pressure should be checked regularly.

Aktiia uses a technique called pulse wave analysis to process optical signals on your wrist and accurately measure blood pressure-and you won’t even notice it’s working.

Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

When measuring blood pressure, you use two numbers: systolic blood pressure is represented by the top number, and diastolic blood pressure is represented by the bottom number.

Systolic blood pressure: The systolic value indicates the blood pressure level when the blood is pumped away from the heart into the arteries. This value shows the condition of the heart muscle and the vascular system.

Diastolic blood pressure: The diastolic value is the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats, or the relaxation phase of the heart.

Both values ​​are measured with the unit mm/Hg, meaning millimeters (mm) of mercury (Hg).

Normal Blood Pressure Increases

There are times when elevated blood pressure is not concerning.

Physical activity and stress

During physical exertion or excitement, blood pressure rises and is not necessarily harmful to health. As long as the cardiovascular system is healthy, most people can withstand short periods of elevated blood pressure. After the physical or stress event, blood pressure returns to normal. Both men and women experience these temporary blood pressure spikes.

It becomes a concern when blood pressure is consistently elevated, even at rest. Chronic elevated blood pressure puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels. Because blood pressure is the force with which blood pushes against the walls of the arteries, excessive pressure can damage the arteries over time.

White Coat Hypertension

Men and women sometimes receive elevated but incorrect blood pressure readings ​​in the doctor’s office or clinic because being in a medical office is stressful to them. This is called “white coat hypertension” and can be triggered by stress or increased activity.

A few high blood pressure readings here and there are no reason to worry. To diagnose true high blood pressure, the American Heart Association recommends at least three measurements on two or three different days.

The best way to know your blood pressure status is to monitor it continuously with a wearable continuous blood pressure monitor. That way, you can measure your total time in target range, which helps you understand where your blood pressure is most of the time.

Read next: How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally, Without Medication

Final Thoughts

Many people unknowingly suffer from high blood pressure because it does not cause any serious symptoms in the early stages. They could be symptom-free because their blood pressure values rise slowly over the years. Blood pressure can change as a result of endogenous processes, such as an undiagnosed illness, the development of a sugar or lipid metabolism disorder, or changes in lifestyle and diet.

It is important to take age into account when evaluating blood pressure readings. What’s normal at an older age may be elevated for a younger person, and your follow-up protocol may differ if you’re in an elevated range.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. If you have symptoms of low or high blood pressure, speak to your doctor. They can advise on the best way to effectively manage your blood pressure.

Sources

World Health Organization Fact Sheets, March 2023 – https://www.who.int/news-room-fact-sheets-hypertension

Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults aged 18 and over in the United States, March 2011 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21485611

Age-based Pediatric Blood Pressure Reference Charts, 2018 – https://www.bcm.edu/bodycomplab/BPappZjs