One of the most critical indicators of the health of our heart and arteries is blood pressure. It reveals something about the general health of our body, and maintaining it within a healthy range is important to preventing significant issues in the future. So what, exactly, constitutes normal blood pressure, and how does it shift with age?
When we discuss blood pressure, we’re referring to two values: systolic and diastolic. Systolic measures the pressure of blood in your arteries when your heart is beating, and diastolic measures it when your heart is resting between beats. A normal result is typically less than 120/80 mmHg. As we get older, however, those values can change a little bit, and it helps to know what’s normal at various ages.
Here’s a quick rundown for grown-ups: normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. If your systolic is 120-129 and your diastolic is below 80, it’s elevated. High blood pressure or hypertension begins at 130/80 mmHg. Stage 1 is 130/80 to 139/89 mmHg, and stage 2 begins at 140/90 mmHg and above. If your numbers ever shoot up to 180/120 mmHg or more, that’s a hypertensive crisis, and you’ll need immediate medical care.
For children, it’s a bit more complicated. Their blood pressure varies with age, sex, and height. Generally, if a child’s blood pressure is less than the 90th percentile for their group, it’s normal. By age 13, however, they begin to follow the same standards as adults.
Many things can contribute to high blood pressure, ranging from lifestyle choices to underlying medical conditions. Diet is one major one—consuming too much sodium and not enough potassium can increase your blood pressure. Other contributions are lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Medical conditions such as diabetes and pregnancy can also be contributing factors.
It’s also necessary to note that ethnicity and race can influence the risk of high blood pressure and how effectively certain treatments are. For instance, Black patients tend to have higher rates of hypertension and could have a harder time accessing effective care. Addressing these differences is a significant part of creating a more equitable health system.
Monitoring your blood pressure is a good idea, particularly if you’re aware you’re at risk. You can have it checked at pharmacies, the office, or a physician’s office. Home monitors are convenient, too—just be sure you’re using the correct size cuff and following proper techniques to get accurate results.
If you’re concerned about high blood pressure, don’t wait to see a doctor. They can assist you in developing a plan, whether that involves making some lifestyle adjustments or beginning medication. Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the best things you can do for your health—and your future.