Blood Pressure Chart With Readings By Age And Sex
Average Ranges Show Normal Pressure On the Arteries
Blood pressure measures the force pressed against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body.
Average blood pressure differs by sex and tends to rise with age. It’s important to know how blood pressure affects your health.
This article covers how healthcare providers differentiate between “normal” blood pressure and hypertension and includes blood pressure charts by age and gender. It will also discuss the health risks involved with hypertension, how you can monitor your blood pressure, and when you should call your healthcare provider.
For High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may watch it closely. This is because its a risk factor for heart disease.
Having elevated blood pressure puts you at risk for high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet, cutting back on alcohol, and exercising regularly. These may help bring your blood pressure numbers down. You may not need prescription medications.
If you have stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. They may prescribe a drug like:
Gender And Blood Pressure
According to the National Institute on Aging, males are more likely to have high blood pressure before age 55, while normal blood pressure for women tends to rise after menopause. Women are less likely than men to experience complications associated with high blood pressure.
However, regardless of differences in the prevalence and complications of high blood pressure between the sexes, treatment and diagnosis are the same for both men and women.
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What Can I Do To Lower My Blood Pressure
There are things we can all do to help control blood pressure. These lifestyle modifications are changes you can make in your daily life.
- Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH diet. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products with reduced saturated and total fat.
- Increase your physical activity. Add 90 to 150 minutes each week of aerobic exercise. Also, include three days of strength training each week. Not only can this help reduce or control your blood pressure, but it can also help with weight management. In overweight individuals, a weight loss of even five to 10 percent has been shown to reduce blood pressure.
- Limit your alcohol. It is recommended that men have no more than two drinks per day and women have no more than one to help control blood pressure.
- Manage your stress. Because stress can have a major impact on our bodies, it is important to have an effective coping technique. There are many techniques for relaxation.
- If you smoke, quit. Quitting smoking can have a huge impact on your health.
These are some of the most proactive ways one can support a normal blood pressure and an overall healthy life. But sometimes, even a healthy lifestyle is not enough to maintain a safe blood pressure. When lifestyle modifications do not lower blood pressure to better levels, medication can be prescribed.
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Blood Pressure Checks During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you should have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, even if it is not high.
Watching your blood pressure while you are pregnant reduces your risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension. This can lead to a serious condition called pre-eclampsia where there is a problem with the placenta .
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Hypertension Symptoms And Risks
Risks associated with high blood pressure can become life-threatening if not adequately monitored or addressed .
Most people with high blood pressure, particularly prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension, dont experience any symptoms. Even at stage 2, hypertension may not cause any noticeable effects. Those who do experience symptoms may notice:
- Shortness of breath
However, even in the absence of symptoms, the elevated blood pressure is still damaging your blood vessels and heart and can cause serious health complications. Some of the most common include:
- Vascular dementia
- Peripheral artery disease
For these reasons, regular check-ups along with at-home blood pressure monitoring are necessary to stop progression or reverse some of the damage done.
How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed
Your blood pressure varies from day to day, even from moment to moment. Generally, if a person has a blood pressure reading taken on 3 separate occasions that is greater than 140/90 mmHg, they have high blood pressure. Your doctor may ask you to monitor your blood pressure at home, or wear a monitor over a 24-hour period, to see how it varies and to make sure they get an accurate reading.
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Discuss Medication With A Doctor
When dealing with high blood pressure readings, it’s necessary to consult with your doctor to find proper ways to manage and prevent hypertension.
Depending on your age, lifestyle, and blood pressure readings, your doctor may recommend medication as part of a treatment program for hypertension.
It’s not clear if medication is beneficial for adults who have prehypertension alone. However, if you have another medical condition along with prehypertension, such as diabetes or kidney disease, your doctor might decide its best to start treatment as early as possible.
Those with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension may be prescribed one or more of the following drugs:
Salt Intake And Blood Pressure
Salt is a mineral made up of sodium and chloride. Its the sodium in salt that is bad for your health. When looking at food labels on groceries, it is the sodium that is listed.
Reducing the amount of salt you eat can help to manage your blood pressure. The Heart Foundation recommends five grams of salt as a daily maximum.
In addition to following a heart-healthy eating pattern, follow these top tips to reduce your salt intake:
- Look out for hidden salt. Many packaged and processed foods are high in salt. You cant see the salt in these foods, so you dont know how much salt you are having. These foods arent part of a heart-healthy eating pattern.
- Get into the habit of checking food labels. Choose low-salt food where possible. Another simple alternative is to look for labels with low salt, salt reduced or no added salt.
- Avoid adding salt to cooking or at the table. Flavour meals with herbs and spices instead.
- Cook at home when you can. Take away food and food prepared outside the home are often high in salt. Preparing and cooking your own meals is a great way to stay in control of how much salt is added.
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Secondary High Blood Pressure
Some cases of high blood pressure are the result of underlying factors or cause and this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
Underlying factors include:
- kidney conditions, such as a kidney infection, or kidney disease
- narrowing of the arteries
- hormonal conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome
- conditions that affect the bodys tissue, such as lupus
- medication, such as the oral contraceptive pill, or the type of painkillers that are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen
- recreational drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines and crystal meth
Occasionally, a rise in blood pressure can result from taking herbal remedies, such as herbal supplements.
Treatment For Low Or High Blood Pressure
Your reading may indicate a blood pressure problem even if only one number is high. No matter what category of blood pressure you have, its important to monitor it regularly. Talk with a doctor about how often you should check your blood pressure at home.
Write the results in a blood pressure journal and share them with the doctor. Its a good idea to take your blood pressure more than once at one sitting,
The doctor will likely address that health condition or concern first.
If its unclear why your blood pressure is low, treatment options may include:
- eating more salt
- wearing compression stockings to help prevent blood from pooling in your legs
- taking a corticosteroid like fludrocortisone to help increase blood volume
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Normal Blood Pressure And Heart Rate
While a rising heart rate will increase blood flow through the body, it does not necessarily correspond with an increase in the pressure of that blood flow. This is because blood vessels can increase in size to facilitate larger quantities of blood. Even if your heart rate were to double, your normal blood pressure & high pulse may only slightly increase blood pressure.
Regular Blood Pressure Checks If Diagnosed With High Blood Pressure
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your blood pressure will need to be closely monitored until it is brought under control.
After your blood pressure has been controlled, your GP or practice nurse will measure your blood pressure at agreed regular intervals .
It is important you attend these appointments to ensure your blood pressure is being maintained within an acceptable range.
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What To Do If Your Blood Pressure Reading Is 144/90
A blood pressure reading of 144/90 can be cause for concern. The first step is to take another reading to confirm your blood pressure.
As an aside, home blood pressure monitors are amazingly affordable and great way to stay on top of your blood pressure. So invest in your health and check out .
Elevated blood pressure should be confirmed on at least 3 separate days before diagnosing hypertension.
Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range may indicate the need to adjust your blood pressure medications.
Once you have been assessed by a medical professional there are a number of ways you can address a blood pressure reading of 144/90.
What Does It Mean If You Fall Into The New Guidelines
With these new guidelines, it is estimated that about 14 percent of people will now be classified as having hypertension many of those individuals may be younger. However, only a small percentage will require intervention by medication. Individuals who now fall into a hypertensive category will receive more aggressive prevention interventions, like lifestyle changes.
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How To Measure Blood Pressure
There are a few ways to check your blood pressure. For example, your doctor can check your blood pressure in their office. Many pharmacies also offer free blood pressure monitoring stations.
You can also check it at home using home blood pressure monitors. These are available for purchase from pharmacies and medical supply stores.
The recommends using an automatic home blood pressure monitor that measures blood pressure on your upper arm. Wrist or finger blood pressure monitors are also available but may not be as accurate.
When taking your blood pressure, make sure you take the following steps:
- Sit still, with your back straight, feet supported, and legs uncrossed.
- Keep your upper arm at heart level.
- Have the middle of the cuff rest directly above the elbow.
- Avoid exercise, caffeine, or smoking for 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
How Can You Manage Your High Blood Pressure
Treatment of high blood pressure often starts with lifestyle changes, including decreasing salt in your diet, losing weight if necessary, stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol use, and regular exercise.
In addition to lifestyle changes, medications are often used to lower blood pressure. There are several types of medications that treat high blood pressure with each type of medication having benefits and risks that should be carefully weighed by you and your health care provider. Most people take more than one medication in order to bring their blood pressure down to their treatment goal.
Your blood pressure medication should begin to work within days. However, because high blood pressure is a long-lasting medical condition that often has little or no symptoms, remembering to take your medications can be a challenge. Combination medicines, long-acting or once-a-day medications, may be used to decrease the burden of taking numerous medications and help ensure medications regularly. Once started, the medication should be used until your doctor tells you to stop.
Controlling your blood pressure should be part of a healthy living plan and lifelong task. The damage that high blood pressure causes your internal organs does not cause any symptoms until serious damage has been done.
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What Is The Difference
The major difference between the old and new guidelines is the elimination of the category of pre-hypertension. However, findings from research studies show that complications can exist when blood pressure is as low as 130-139 over 80-89.
The new guidelines change the categories. Those same readings that would have been pre-hypertension are now categorized as stage I hypertension. Doing so means earlier treatment, which can help prevent future increases in blood pressure and more serious complications associated with hypertension.
Your Blood Pressure Is Borderline High What Should You Do About It
Perhaps this has happened to you: You go to the doctor, for a checkup or a sprained ankle, and find that your blood pressure is high.
Not really high, not hypertension high, but borderline high. Say 130 over 85. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or below, and hypertension is defined as 140/90 or higher.
Should you be worried? Is there something you can do now to ward off a later diagnosis of hypertension?
Hypertension increases your risk for heart attack and stroke, as well as for kidney disease and vision loss. And hypertension is very common: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one of every three American adults has the condition.
But the cardiovascular risks dont suddenly begin at the magic number of 140/90. Its important to realize that theres a continuum of risk, says Elliott Antman, president of the American Heart Association and a cardiologist at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk.
The label prehypertension became official when clinical practice guidelines were updated in 2003. Since then, researchers have continued to find significant risks associated with borderline high blood pressure. A 2013 review of studies encompassing more than a million people found that those with prehypertension had a 28 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 41 percent increased risk of dying from stroke compared with people who had normal blood pressure.
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What To Do If Your Blood Pressure Reading Is 144/80
A blood pressure reading of 144/80 can be cause for concern. The first step is to take another reading to confirm your blood pressure.
As an aside, home blood pressure monitors are amazingly affordable and great way to stay on top of your blood pressure. So invest in your health and check out .
Elevated blood pressure should be confirmed on at least 3 separate days before diagnosing hypertension.
Already diagnosed with hypertension? If so a blood pressure in this range may indicate the need to adjust your blood pressure medications.
Once you have been assessed by a medical professional there are a number of ways you can address a blood pressure reading of 144/80.
Tips For Taking Blood Pressure Medication
If your doctor has prescribed a blood pressure medication, its important to know how to take them to maximize their effect safely. Keep all of these tips in mind:
- When getting your prescription, be sure to inform your doctor of all the medications you are currently taking. This includes vitamins and supplements as these can affect your blood pressure.
- If your blood pressure drops to healthy levels while on the medication, this means the medication is working. If you are asked by another doctor whether you have high pressure, tell them you do, but it is being treated.
- Dont forget to refill your medication before it runs out. Take it with you when traveling so you’re sure never to miss a dose.
- Take your blood pressure medication at the same time each day. If you miss a dose, dont double dose the next day.
- If you are having surgery, ask your doctor whether or not you should take your medication the day of.
- When rising from a seated or lying position, try to move slowly. This can help your blood pressure adjust more gradually and can help prevent lightheadedness. A transfer aid can help with this.
- Over time, healthy lifestyle changes can lower your required dosage.
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Height And Blood Pressure
Height isn’t a risk factor but taller people tend to have higher blood pressure because this offsets gravity and other factors to ensure the brain – the highest organ – gets enough blood flow and oxygen. However, the effect of height is minor, so its not taken into account in blood pressure range guidelines.
Normal Blood Pressure By Age
What is normal blood pressure according to age?
The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. Its measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second is measured before the heart contracts and the lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called “hypertension”.
The chart in the article shows normal blood pressure according to age both male and female. Diastolic blood pressure and Systolic Blood Pressure are included in the chart.
Blood pressure readings can vary in a single person throughout the day depending on the situation. Factors such as stress, anxiety, foods are eaten , smoking or exercise can cause pressure to rise.
The American Heart Association defines
- normal blood pressure as less than 120/80,
- elevated blood pressure ranges between 120/80 and 129/80, and
- high blood pressure is 130/80 and higher.
- In pregnancy, normal blood pressure should be below 120/80.
If your blood pressure reaches the high range, you should see your doctor about lifestyle changes, and possibly medication especially if you have other risk factors, such as diabetes or heart disease.
If your blood pressure is lower than about 100/60 you may have low blood pressure, depending on the associated symptoms. If you are unsure, check with your doctor.
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