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Blood pressure ranges for different age groups

Team AckoJun 20, 2024

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries after being pumped out by the heart. This pressure is required for blood to reach different body parts and fulfil its functions.

Dive into this article to learn more about how to measure blood pressure and get an overview of blood pressure ranges for different age groups.

Contents

How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure range for men
Blood pressure range for women
Blood pressure range for senior citizens
Blood pressure range for children
Blood pressure ranges explained
Frequently asked questions
- Articles related to Different Diseases

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is usually measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) using a sphygmomanometer. The following two factors are measured to determine one’s blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure: This is the blood pressure in the arteries that is generated when your heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure: This is the blood pressure in the arteries that is generated when your heart rests in between beats.

Blood pressure range for men

Here is a table that shows the normal blood pressure range for men across different age groups.

Age	Systolic	Diastolic
20 to 25 years	120.5 mmHg	78.5 mmHg
26 to 30 years	119.5 mmHg	76.5 mmHg
31 to 35 years	114.5 mmHg	75.5 mmHg
36 to 40 years	120.5 mmHg	75.5 mmHg
41 to 45 years	115.5 mmHg	78.5 mmHg
46 to 50 years	119.5 mmHg	80.5 mmHg
51 to 55 years	125.5 mmHg	80.5 mmHg
56 to 60 years	129.5 mmHg	79.5 mmHg
61 to 65 years	143.5 mmHg	76.5 mmHg

Blood pressure range for women

Here is a table that shows the normal blood pressure range for women across different age groups.

Age	Systolic	Diastolic
20 to 25 years	115.5 mmHg	70.5 mmHg
26 to 30 years	113.5 mmHg	71.5 mmHg
31 to 35 years	110.5 mmHg	72.5 mmHg
36 to 40 years	112.5 mmHg	74.5 mmHg
41 to 45 years	116.5 mmHg	73.5 mmHg
46 to 50 years	124 mmHg	78.5 mmHg
51 to 55 years	122.5 mmHg	74.5 mmHg
56 to 60 years	132.5 mmHg	78.5 mmHg
61 to 65 years	130.5 mmHg	77.5 mmHg

Blood pressure range for senior citizens

Here is a table that shows the normal blood pressure range for senior citizens.

Type of blood pressure	Systolic blood pressure range	Diastolic blood pressure range
Low blood pressure	90 mmHg or lesser	60 mmHg or lesser
Normal blood pressure	Lower than 120 mmHg	Lower than 80 mmHg
Elevated blood pressure	120 to 129 mmHg	Lower than 80 mmHg
Hypertension stage I	130 to 139 mmHg	80 to 89 mmHg
Hypertension stage II	140 mmHg or higher	90 or higher mmHg
Hypertensive crisis	180 mmHg or higher	120 or higher mmHg

Blood pressure range for children

Here is a table that shows the normal blood pressure range for children across age groups.

Age	Systolic	Diastolic
Neonatal stage	60 to 90 mmHg	20 to 60 mmHg
Infancy	87 to 105 mmHg	53 to 66 mmHg
Toddlers	95 to 105 mmHg	53 to 66 mmHg
Preschool going children	95 to 110 mmHg	56 to 70 mmHg
School going children	97 to 112 mmHg	57 to 70 mmHg
Teenagers	112 to 128 mmHg	66 to 80 mmHg

Blood pressure ranges explained

Blood pressure ranges are usually classified into the following five categories.

1. Normal blood pressure:

Generally, blood pressure measuring around 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. So, if your blood pressure is measured and this is your reading, make sure to stay consistent by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

2. Elevated blood pressure

As its name may suggest, elevated blood pressure is when the blood pressure readings are slightly above normal. This condition is diagnosed if your blood pressure ranges between 120-129 mmHg systolic and lower than 80 mmHg diastolic. If steps are not taken at this stage to reduce your blood pressure, it could eventually lead to the development of high blood pressure.

3. Hypertension stage 1

This condition is diagnosed if your blood pressure readings fall between 130 to 139 mmHg systolic or 80 to 89 mmHg diastolic. This stage is considered as high blood pressure, and doctors may suggest lifestyle changes to bring down your levels. In rare cases, medication is prescribed to prevent a heart attack or stroke.

4. Hypertensive crisis

This condition is diagnosed if you record a blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg or more. If you are testing at home, just do a retest after five minutes to confirm the results. If the readings remain the same, try to get medical help at the earliest. Furthermore, if you experience symptoms like back pain, shortness of breath, weakness, etc., get emergency medical help immediately.

Frequently asked questions

The following are some of the common questions regarding blood pressure ranges for different age groups.

What is the normal range of blood pressure in adults?

The normal range of blood pressure in adults is usually 120/80 mmHg.

Which reading should be given more attention?

Generally, doctors give more attention to the systolic reading. This is because a high systolic pressure is a risk indicator for cardiovascular disease in individuals above the age of 50.

Why is blood pressure measured in terms of mmHg?

Blood pressure is measured in terms of mmHg because it is measured against mercury. The full form of mmHg is millimetres of mercury.

Is checking your pulse and measuring your blood pressure the same thing?

No, checking your pulse and measuring your blood pressure are not the same thing. They are two different tests to check two different health indicators.

Reference:

https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet. As this content piece is not vetted by a medical professional, please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.

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