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Normal Blood Pressure By Age
Age | SBP | DBP |
---|---|---|
21-25 | 120.5 | 78.5 |
26-30 | 119.5 | 76.5 |
31-35 | 114.5 | 75.5 |
36-40 | 120.5 | 75.5 |
Normal pressure is 120/80 or lower. Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away.
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.
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.
Omron 7 Series Wireless Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor Most blood pressure monitors—both in the doctor’s office and at home—cuff your upper arm, and for good reason. The American Heart Association specifically recommends upper arm measurements, because that’s the most accurate way to take a measurement.
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.
140/90 or higher (stage 2 hypertension): You probably need medication. At this level, your doctor is likely to prescribe medicine now to get your blood pressure under control. At the same time, you’ll also need to make lifestyle changes. If you ever have blood pressure that’s 180/120 or above, it’s an emergency.
Its final recommendation, issued in 2014, said that adults aged 60 or older should only take blood pressure medication if their blood pressure exceeds 150/90, a higher bar of treatment than the previous guideline of 140/90.
Make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90 mm Hg. If your systolic pressure (the top number) is over 140, ask your doctor what you can do to lower it. Take your high blood pressure medicine, if prescribed, every day. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
As you can see from the paragraph above, if your blood pressure is significantly elevated (>150/100 mmHg) it is very unlikely that diet and lifestyle changes alone will be enough to bring your blood pressure in a range that will reduce your risk or heart attacks, strokes, or early death. You need medications.
Under the current guidelines: Normal: Less than 120/80. Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80. Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89.
Call a doctor if:
This is what your diastolic blood pressure number means: Normal: Lower than 80. Stage 1 hypertension: 80-89. Stage 2 hypertension: 90 or more.