Good for the elderly
Seek emergency care if your blood pressure reading is 180/120 or higher AND you have any of the following symptoms, which may be signs of organ damage: Chest pain. Shortness of breath. Numbness or weakness.
What if Just the First Blood Pressure Number Is High ? For older people , often the first number (systolic) is 130 or higher, but the second number (diastolic) is less than 80. This problem is called isolated systolic hypertension , which is due to age-related stiffening of the major arteries.
Your doctor A doctor will diagnose hypertension right away if your blood pressure is extremely high (higher than 200 /120 mmHg). If your blood pressure is higher than 180/110 mmHg, then your doctor will be able to diagnose you with hypertension after just two visits over a short period of time.
When treating hypertension in patients over the age of 85 years, the usual target blood pressure is 150/80 mmHg for reduction of the risk of stroke, heart attack , and other cardiovascular events.
A hypertensive crisis is a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Extremely high blood pressure — a top number (systolic pressure) of 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or a bottom number (diastolic pressure) of 120 mm Hg or higher — can damage blood vessels.
If your blood pressure is elevated to 180/120 or higher and you ARE experiencing warning symptoms (chest pain/upper back pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, dizziness, numbness/weakness, loss of vision, or difficulty speaking) then do not wait to recheck your blood pressure and instead you should go immediately
Aside from high blood pressure , obesity is linked to many other health issues such as high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke, all of which have links to high blood pressure . Diabetes is often linked to obesity and is also a contributor to the development of high blood pressure in elderly people [4].
The previous guidelines set the threshold at 140/90 mm Hg for people younger than age 65 and 150/80 mm Hg for those ages 65 and older . This means 70% to 79% of men ages 55 and older are now classified as having hypertension . That includes many men whose blood pressure had previously been considered healthy.
Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 140/90. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 160/ 100 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.
The highest pressure recorded in an individual was 370/360. With slow exhalation, the mean BP was 198/175 when the same 100% maximum was lifted (p < . 005). A reduced pressor response was also noted at 85% maximal lifting with slow exhalation.
Acute complications associated with hypertension A hypertensive crisis is defined as an exceptional increase in blood pressure to values above 190 mmHg for the systolic pressure or 110 mmHg for the diastolic. The episode is sometimes accompanied by headache, a nosebleed or instability.
Without visible symptoms, most people are unaware that they have high blood pressure . Get moving. Exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day is an important part of healthy living. Follow the DASH diet. Put down the saltshaker. Lose excess weight. Nix your nicotine addiction. Limit alcohol. Stress less.
The researchers concluded that, for adults aged 80 years or older, intensively controlling systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mmHg lowers the risk of heart attacks, stroke, death, and mild cognitive impairment, but increases the risk of declines in kidney function.
Elderly Blood Pressure Range for Men and Women
Blood Pressure Category for Adults 65+ | Systolic mm Hg | Diastolic mm Hg |
---|---|---|
Normal blood pressure | Lower than 120 | Lower than 80 |
Elevated blood pressure | 120 – 129 | Lower than 80 |
High blood pressure stage 1 | 130 – 139 | 80 – 89 |
High blood pressure stage 2 | 140 or higher | 90 or higher |
As a general guide: high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you’re over the age of 80) ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.