Elderly Blood Pressure Chart: What's Considered Normal by Age?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure (BP), a condition known as hypertension. These statistics worsen as adults age. 

More than 70% of seniors aged 60 and older have high blood pressure. Of those aged 75 and older, 81% of women and 73% of men have hypertension. Blood vessels become stiff, plaque buildup increases, and an adult's chances of developing a heart or blood vessel disease rise. 

Unfortunately, many people with high blood pressure don't experience any symptoms and may be unaware of their hypertension, allowing it to remain untreated. As the condition advances, hypertension can be a significant risk factor for stroke, cardiac arrest, and other health issues.  

Editorial note: This information isn't a substitute for medical advice your doctor provides. If you think you have hypertension or elevated blood pressure, discuss your blood pressure concerns with a doctor or nurse who can help you factor in other important information, such as other medical problems you may have. In particular, the information above and related links may not always apply to older individuals who are frail or have multiple chronic medical conditions.

 

Blood pressure measures the force your blood exerts against the interior of your arteries. Blood pressure measurements are listed in millimeters of mercury, abbreviated as mm Hg. 

Your blood pressure reading is your systolic pressure (when your heart beats) listed over your diastolic pressure (when your heart rests between beats). The standard healthy blood pressure reading, as determined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is 120 systolic over 80 diastolic — 120/80 mm Hg. 

Systolic pressure is the top number of a blood pressure reading. It's the highest level at which your blood pressure registers while your heart is actively beating and blood presses against the walls of your arteries.

The bottom number of a blood pressure reading indicates your diastolic blood pressure. This number is the lowest level your blood pressure falls to when your heart is at rest between beats.

You can determine normal blood pressure for elderly family members by consulting a blood pressure chart. Like most blood pressure readings, elderly blood pressure charts include ranges classified as too high, too low, and normal. 

Abnormally low blood pressure measurements indicate hypotension, and extremely high readings indicate hypertensive crisis. Normal BP for elderly men and women falls between these two extremes. 

If your systolic and diastolic readings fit into different BP categories, the higher of the two categories determines your blood pressure status. For example, a blood pressure of 127/83 indicates stage 1 hypertension. Similarly, if your blood pressure is 137/78, you also have stage 1 hypertension. 

Most older adults with high blood pressure develop isolated systolic hypertension. This condition is when someone has a top number, or systolic blood pressure reading of 130 or more, with a bottom number, or diastolic blood pressure of less than 80.

There are seven different categories of blood pressure. These include dangerously low blood pressure, which is categorized as hypotension. Blood pressure that measures above this range but lower than the normal level is categorized as low blood pressure. 

The normal blood pressure for elderly individuals aligns with typical blood pressure readings considered normal for most adults, but older individuals are more susceptible to conditions that can worsen their BP. 

There are several blood pressure categories for blood pressure readings that measure above normal levels. In order of increasing severity, these are elevated blood pressure, stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension, stage 3 hypertension, and hypertensive crisis — a medical emergency.

Hypotension results from a blood pressure reading below 90/60. This result means the pressure in your arteries is lower than what's considered a normal measurement for elderly men and women. 

Some people with blood pressure this low may be prone to weakness or fainting, but many people feel just fine. If you're taking blood pressure medicines and your reading is in this range, the medication is likely lowering your blood pressure more than necessary and should be adjusted. It's also possible to experience low BP as a side effect of certain medications.

If you're not on blood pressure medication, there's usually no cause for concern about low blood pressure unless you're experiencing symptoms like dizziness, fainting, nausea, or fatigue. In fact, hypotension isn't usually diagnosed unless the patient experiences symptoms.

Readings below 80/60 are classified as severe hypotension. These numbers are significantly lower than a normal BP for elderly family members. Readings this low may have an underlying cause that could indicate a new, serious heart problem or infection. Endocrine and neurological conditions can also cause low blood pressure. 

However, some people have very low blood pressure but feel fine and are otherwise healthy. Certain medications and nutritional deficiencies can worsen low blood pressure.

Readings above 90/60 and below 120/80 indicate that the pressure in your arteries is considered normal. However, medical professionals may associate systolic blood pressure below 110 with dizziness when standing. This condition is more likely to occur in older adults and/or people with much higher blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure readings between 120 and 129 with diastolic blood pressure readings less than 80 usually indicate elevated blood pressure. Normal BP for elderly individuals is usually lower, indicating they don't have hypertension, but their blood pressure is higher than optimal for most adults.

Research studies suggest that people with elevated blood pressure are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to people with lower BP. However, many experts currently don't recommend using medications to treat elevated blood pressure unless the patient also has other medical conditions that would benefit from lower blood pressure (such as heart failure or kidney disease).

Systolic blood pressure readings between 130 and 139 or diastolic blood pressure readings ranging from 80-89 usually indicate stage 1 hypertension, which means the force of the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than normal, putting you at increased risk of life-threatening problems such as heart attacks and stroke. 

Blood pressure in this range can also damage organs such as the heart and the kidneys over time, especially in people with chronic medical problems affecting these body parts. 

You may develop hypertension if you've never been diagnosed with high blood pressure. For a new diagnosis, the physician should confirm hypertension on at least two office visits after an initial screening.

Systolic blood pressure readings of at least 140 or diastolic blood pressure readings of at least 90 usually indicate stage 2 hypertension, which puts you at high risk for life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke.

The final stage after stage 2 hypertension is hypertensive crisis. Readings above 180 systolic pressure or above 110 diastolic pressure usually indicate a hypertensive crisis, putting you at the highest risk for heart attack, stroke, and other acute life-threatening problems. A hypertensive crisis needs emergency care.

High blood pressure can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, mental confusion, vision changes, chest pain, or shortness of breath. If you notice any of these symptoms and receive a blood pressure reading above 180/110, your high blood pressure is considered a hypertensive emergency. Call 911.

Some medications can trigger a hypertensive crisis. Always check with your health care provider before starting any new supplements or medications, even over-the-counter drugs.

With elderly age blood pressure changes, the odds of developing various health conditions and the risk of mortality increases. Among adults aged 50 or older, keeping systolic blood pressure below 120 decreases the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, experiencing mild cognitive impairment, and death. 

Keeping systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg also reduces the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease for individuals over the age of 55. Other common risks associated with hypertension include stroke, end-stage renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease.

When you have hypertension, your heart works harder to push blood through your arteries. While it may be easier for seniors in independent living facilities or communities for active adults to regularly exercise, seniors can still work to avoid common mistakes that increase their blood pressure levels. Lifestyle and dietary habits that can put you at risk of high blood pressure include:

 

• Being less physically active
• Consuming a low-fiber diet
• Eating foods high in saturated and animal fats
• Ingesting high amounts of sodium 

 

Certain medical conditions can also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, including:

 

• Obesity
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Excessive stress
• Heart defects

It's common for systolic blood pressure to increase with age. Arteries become less elastic and stiffen over time, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Additionally, plaque may continue to build up in arteries, narrowing them and preventing normal blood flow. Older adults are also more likely to develop heart or blood vessel disease.

Seniors can maintain normal BP by adhering to a healthy lifestyle. Examples of healthier lifestyle choices include:

 

• Not smoking
• Consulting a nutrition guide and eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Avoiding saturated fats and foods high in sodium
• Maintaining an active lifestyle
• Taking medication as prescribed by a physician

Older adults can follow these examples to control or prevent high blood pressure and its effects. These actions help protect heart and brain health to improve overall longevity. 

Seniors in long-term care settings, such as memory care facilities and nursing homes, need to ensure their blood pressure doesn't fall too low to reduce the likelihood of fainting and falling.

For these individuals, avoiding stress is critical for keeping blood pressure at a healthy level. A long-term care insurance policy can help cover the costs of eligible facilities and reduce financial stress, as well.

Low and high blood pressure may indicate a serious condition or put individuals at risk of certain diseases or death. All individuals, whether living independently, at home, or in assisted living, should monitor their blood pressure and take measures to lower it if necessary.

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Additional reporting by Victoria Lurie, additional editing by Matt Whittle