For older adults, often the first number (systolic) is 130 or higher, but the second number (diastolic) is less than 80. This problem is called isolated systolic hypertension and is due to age-related stiffening of the major arteries.
Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) updated their guidance to indicate that people age 65 and older should ideally have a blood pressure reading lower than 130/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).
Life-threatening hypertension (higher than 180/120 mmHg) may cause shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and headaches in some adults. Most people discover they have hypertension during a doctor visit. That's why routine blood pressure screenings are so vital for older adults.
For an average person, a normal blood pressure reading would be 120/80, with 121-139/80-89 being prehypertension. 140/90 and anything over it is termed as high blood pressure or hypertension. However, a slightly higher range of blood pressure (140-150/90-96) is still acceptable for older adults.
Your blood pressure is considered high (stage 1) if it reads 130/80. Stage 2 high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/110 or higher more than once, seek medical treatment right away. A reading this high is considered “hypertensive crisis.”
Call a doctor if:
Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher on two or more occasions. Your blood pressure is usually normal and well controlled, but it goes above the normal range on more than one occasion.
Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.
Blood pressure is measured in units of as millimetres of mercury (written as mmHg). Your blood pressure is considered high if the reading is more than 140/90mmHg. Blood pressure over this level puts you at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke (cardiovascular disease).
Healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80. Prehypertension is a systolic pressure of 120 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89. Stage-1 high blood pressure ranges from a systolic pressure of 140 to 159 or a diastolic pressure of 90 to 99. Stage-2 high blood pressure is over 160/100.
Your body's network of blood vessels, known as the vascular system, changes with age. Arteries get stiffer, causing blood pressure to go up. This can be true even for people who have heart-healthy habits and feel just fine.
Diabetes is the leading cause of high blood pressure in adults of all ages, including senior adults. More than 14 million seniors aged 65 and older have diabetes. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure.
Can you live a long life with treated high blood pressure? It's important to remember that high blood pressure is not usually a death sentence. As long as you're regularly working with your doctor on treatment and managing your blood pressure levels, you will likely live a long life.
Still, you can make lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down. Something as simple as keeping yourself hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day improves blood pressure. Water makes up 73% of the human heart,¹ so no other liquid is better at controlling blood pressure.
Bananas. These are rich in potassium, a nutrient shown to help lower blood pressure, says Laffin. One medium banana provides about 375 milligrams of potassium, about 11 percent of the recommended daily intake for a man, and 16 percent for a woman.
Ongoing blood pressure levels of 120/80 mmHg–140/90 mmHg are a warning sign that you could develop chronic hypertension and increase your risk of stroke.
If your blood pressure is equal to or higher than 140/90 mm Hg, you have Stage 2 high blood pressure. Your provider will most likely recommend that you take medicines and recommend lifestyle changes.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.
The Hypertension Danger Zone
If your systolic is over 180 or your diastolic is above over 120, you may be having a hypertensive crisis, which can lead to a stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage. Rest for a few minutes and take your blood pressure again. If it's still that high, call 911.
Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure. Often, these are late signs that high blood pressure has existed for some time, therefore annual checks are recommended for all adults.
Some research suggests coffee can lower the risk for high blood pressure, also called hypertension, in people who don't already have it. But drinking too much coffee has been shown to raise blood pressure and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations and trouble sleeping.