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Blood pressure is the force that circulating blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood around the body. Average blood pressure readings may vary depending on age.
As people get older, they are more likely to have high blood pressure. This is because the blood vessels become more rigid with age, which causes blood pressure to rise.
Almost half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. Too high or too low blood pressure can increase your risk for serious health problems, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney disease.
The only way a person can tell if their blood pressure is within a normal range is to take a blood pressure measurement. A doctor can then treat the abnormal blood pressure to avoid complications.
In this article, we’ll take a look at average blood pressure by age. We will also look at the causes of hypertension and high blood pressure and potential treatments.
Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing through a person’s blood vessels.
Doctors calculate a person’s blood pressure using two measurements called systolic and diastolic.
Systolic blood pressure is the highest level of force at which the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Diastolic blood pressure is the resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels.
Blood pressure is written with systolic blood pressure first and then diastolic blood pressure, for example, 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
If either measurement is too high, it could mean that a person has high blood pressure. If they are too low, it could suggest low blood pressure.
The threshold for diagnosing high blood pressure does not change with age.
If a person needs to know if their child’s blood pressure is within the normal range, they should seek medical advice.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes five ranges of blood pressure, including:
A person can also have low blood pressure, usually less than 90/60 mm Hg.
Low blood pressure is usually not as big a problem as high blood pressure. However, consistently low blood pressure could signal a medical condition.
A 2020 analysis
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, usually doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms, so the only way a person can tell if their blood pressure is within range is to have a blood pressure check checked. .
Long-term high blood pressure can increase the risk of several serious and life-threatening health problems, including:
Risk factors for high blood pressure include a person’s lifestyle, existing health problems, and a family’s medical history.
Certain medications can also increase blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately
Doctors can usually only identify the cause of high blood pressure in a small number of people. They focus on the steps to lower blood pressure within normal limits if they cannot identify the cause.
Low blood pressure, also called hypotension, is usually not as serious as high blood pressure, but can still cause a person to have unwanted symptoms.
Symptoms of low blood pressure can include:
Causes of low blood pressure can include certain medications, pregnancy, and diabetes. Low blood pressure can also run in families.
A significant decrease in blood volume, for example following an injury, may lead to a drop in blood pressure or may be linked to heart or endocrine problems.
Treatment depends on whether a person has high or low blood pressure.
If hypotension occurs, a person may need a change in medication or dosage. Alternatively, a person can resolve low blood pressure by wearing compression stockings to improve circulation and increase blood pressure.
There are many options for treating high blood pressure, including lifestyle changes and medication.
Lifestyle changes that can help lower high blood pressure include:
- eat healthy food
- decreased salt intake
- limit alcohol
- losing weight
- exercise regularly
- cut back on caffeine
- stop smoking
There are a variety of medications that a doctor can recommend for managing high blood pressure, including:
- diuretics
- beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- angiotensin II receptor blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- alpha blockers
- alpha-2 receptor agonists
- combined alpha- and beta-blockers
- central agonists
- peripheral adrenergic inhibitors
- vasodilators
People can buy a digital monitor to monitor their blood pressure at home. They are easily transportable, so that a person can take them with them if needed and test their blood pressure at any time.
An arm blood pressure monitor is generally more accurate than a wrist blood pressure monitor.
Taking multiple sets of measurements within minutes of each other ensures that the readings are similar and accurate.
A person should have a doctor test their blood pressure every 2 years from the age of 18. People over 40 years of age or younger but at high risk for high blood pressure should ask their doctor for a blood pressure test every year.
If a person has abnormal blood pressure, they may need to check their blood pressure more often.
Isolated incidences of low blood pressure are not of concern, but a person should see a doctor if other symptoms accompany it. A person should record their symptoms, activities, and when they occur to help with the diagnosis.
It is important for a person to see a doctor if they think they may have high blood pressure or know they have it and not have it under control.
Healthcare professionals can help people develop a plan of action to lower their blood pressure and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
An AHA report suggests that the lifetime risk of high blood pressure between the ages of 20 and 85 is between 69 and 86%. This means that as people get older, they should regularly test their blood pressure to identify abnormalities and prevent complications.
Too high or too low blood pressure has many causes and could increase the likelihood of serious medical problems and complications.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle or making lifestyle changes can help keep blood pressure under control. Doctors may also prescribe medications to help maintain normal blood pressure.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but the AHA notes that death rates have declined significantly due to people receiving treatment for high blood pressure earlier.
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