Good for the elderly
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.
The new guidelines change nothing if you’re younger than 60. But if you’re 60 or older, the target has moved up: Your goal is to keep your blood pressure at 150/90 or lower. If you have kidney disease or diabetes , your target used to be 130/80 or lower; now it’s 140/90 or lower.
High blood pressure is now generally defined as 130 or higher for the first number, or 80 or higher for the second number (previously it was 140/90).
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.
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.
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.
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 |
A new definition of high blood pressure (hypertension) The guidelines, in a nutshell, state that normal blood pressure is under 120/80, whereas before normal was under 140/90. Now, elevated blood pressure (without a diagnosis of hypertension) is systolic blood pressure (the top number) between 120 and 129.
In severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening. A blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure .
Research has indicated that blood vessels naturally ‘harden’ with age, losing their elasticity. This may be one explanation for why older people are more at risk of developing high blood pressure .
Here are some simple recommendations: Exercise most days of the week. Exercise is the most effective way to lower your blood pressure . Consume a low-sodium diet. Too much sodium (or salt) causes blood pressure to rise. Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 to 2 drinks per day. Make stress reduction a priority.
7 Drinks for Lowering Blood Pressure Tomato juice . Growing evidence suggests that drinking one glass of tomato juice per day may promote heart health. Beet juice . Prune juice . Pomegranate juice . Berry juice . Skim milk . Tea .
High blood pressure is defined as pressures above 140/90 for a period of time. Prehypertension is defined as a systolic pressure from 120–139 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or a diastolic pressure from 80–89 mm Hg.
However, most studies show a greater risk of stroke and heart disease related to higher systolic pressures compared with elevated diastolic pressures. That’s especially true in people ages 50 and older, which is why doctors tend to monitor the top number more closely.
Optimal blood pressure is a reading of lower than 120/80. When your blood pressure numbers are consistently greater than 135/85, you’re considered to have high blood pressure , or hypertension (but if you have diabetes or kidney disease, 130/80 is considered a high reading).