Does normal blood pressure reading differ because of age?
Although blood pressure can change as we age, the normal range of blood pressure in adults is part of a standard guideline that does not change with age.
The following table explains the various categories for blood pressure in adults. It is important to note that these recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or certain other conditions your blood pressure goals and treatment may vary.
|
Top Number |
Bottom number |
Your category |
What to do |
|
|
(systolic) |
|
(diastolic) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below 120 |
and |
Below 80 |
Normal Blood Pressure |
Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. |
|
120-139 |
or |
80-89 |
Pre-hypertension |
Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. |
|
140-159 |
or |
90-99 |
Stage 1 hypertension |
Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. If blood pressure goal isn’t reached in about 6 months, take on or more medications |
|
160 or more |
or |
100 or more |
Stage 2 hypertension |
Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Take on or more medications |
Kelley Stout, PharmD. Candidate
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
The National Institute of Health’s Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure is available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_low/hbp_low.pdf
