Can a bp averaging 142/90 be considered normal, if a person...
1 answer
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Last updated: Oct 02, 2009
Q
Can a blood pressure reading averaging 142/90 be considered normal, if a person has had this reading since her 30s and is now 66 years old?
A
James Frank is Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the V.A. Medical Center in San Francisco.
63% helpful
A blood pressure reading averaging 142/90 is high, regardless of how long someone has had it. In fact, what you're describing is called lifelong hypertension. Over time, a blood pressure that high can put you at risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. It's important to get that blood pressure down; the goal should be 120/80. Someone with this blood pressure reading needs to talk to her doctor about how best to manage it.
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