Blood pressure is a key indicator of your overall health. But did you know that what’s considered “normal” can change as you age? Understanding how age impacts your blood pressure—and knowing the healthy range for your age group—can help you take proactive steps to maintain good health and prevent serious conditions like heart disease and stroke.
Why bl00d pressure is cruciall
Bl00d pressure is the force of bl00d pushing against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps blood around your body. Bl00d pressure readings can give an indication of how hard your heart is working and are an important part of a general health assessment.
A normal blood pressure varies from person to person. Your doctor will suggest you on what is healthy for you, based on your medical history.
For most people, the following is a guide.
| Bl00d pressure | Systolic (top number) mm Hg | Diastolic (bottom number) mm Hg |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Less than 90 | Less than 60 |
| Optimal | Less than 120 | Less than 80 |
| Normal | 120–129 | 80–84 |
| Normal to high | 130–139 | 85–89 |
| High | Greater than 140 | Greater than 90 |
Around 120/80 mm Hg is often considered a typical blood pressure reading.
Below is the average bl00d pressure for children and teens:
| Age | Systolic (top number) mm Hg | Diastolic (bottom number) mm Hg |
|---|---|---|
| Newborns up to 1 month | 60–90 | 20–60 |
| Infants | 87–105 | 53–66 |
| Toddlers | 95–105 | 53–66 |
| Preschoolers | 95–110 | 56–70 |
| School-aged children | 97–112 | 57–71 |
| Adolescents | 112–128 | 66–80 |
In adulthood, the average bl00d pressures by age and gender are:
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 18–39 years | 110/68 mm Hg | 119/70 mm Hg |
| 40–59 years | 122/74 mm Hg | 124/77 mm Hg |
| 60+ years | 139/68 mm Hg | 133/69 mm Hg |
The effect of ageing on bl00d pressure
The chance of having high blood pressure increases as you get older.
This is due to structural changes in your body’s blood vessels or vascular system. Arteries get stiffer, which causes bl00d pressure to rise.
High bl00d pressure is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, especially heart att.acks and str0kes.
How to maintain healthy bl00d pressure at any age?
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight is known to increase bl00d pressure – losing excess weight can help lower blood pressure to healthier levels.
- Follow a healthy diet: It’s crucial to eat a nutritious diet that is low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, LDL cholesterol and sugar. This means eating a variety of vegetables, fruit and whole grains and nutrients that can help reduce blood pressure.
- Exercise regularly: Being physically active every day, even just via activities like walking and gardening, can help lower blood pressure.
- Quit smoking: Not smoking has been shown to lower blood pressure as well as reduce its damaging effects on the arteries.
- Avoid or limit alcohol: Regular excessive drinking has a clear connection to ongoing high bl00d pressure. It’s been shown that heavy drinkers with high bl00d pressure may be able to lower their levels by cutting back to moderate drinking
