As we get older, so does our body. This often manifests as creaking or aching joints, wrinkled skin, forgetfulness, etc. But did you know that your blood pressure (BP) can change as you age? Yes, ageing can affect your blood vessels and heart too, which can result in BP variations. Even more interestingly, these changes can be different in men and women. In this article, you will learn more about how ageing and gender can affect your blood pressure levels.
Contents:
What is Blood Pressure? How is it Measured?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by your blood on the inner walls of your arteries as it flows through them. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Your heart pumps blood by ‘beating’, i.e. contracting and relaxing, which pushes blood out from your heart, through the arteries and to your organs, muscles, tissues, etc.
Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer or a digital BP monitor. The units of measurement for blood pressure are millimeters of mercury or mm Hg, as manual sphygmomanometers use mercury to gauge blood pressure readings.
Your blood pressure readings will have two numbers – the upper or ‘systolic’ reading and the lower or ‘diastolic’ reading.
The normal blood pressure for healthy adults is 120/80 mm Hg. You have hypotension if your blood pressure is below 90/60 mm Hg. Hypotension treatment may involve dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and medication.
You have hypertension if your blood pressure is above 130/80 mm Hg. Hypertension is divided into various stages depending on the degree of blood pressure elevation. If you have Stage 1 Hypertension, your doctor would recommend dietary and lifestyle changes like exercise to bring it down to normal. Treatment of Stage 2 Hypertension includes medical intervention along with lifestyle changes.
Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer or a digital BP monitor. The units of measurement for blood pressure are millimeters of mercury or mm Hg, as manual sphygmomanometers use mercury to gauge blood pressure readings.
Your blood pressure readings will have two numbers – the upper or ‘systolic’ reading and the lower or ‘diastolic’ reading.
- The systolic reading measures the pressure exerted by blood in your arteries when your heart beats (contracts).
- The diastolic reading measures the pressure exerted by blood in your arteries when your he art rests (relaxes).
| Category | Systolic Blood Pressure (in mm Hg) | Diastolic Blood pressure (in mm Hg) |
| Hypotension | < 90 | < 60 |
| Normal | 90 to 120 | 60 to 80 |
| Elevated Blood Pressure | 120 to 129 | < 80 |
| Hypertension Stage 1 | 130 to 139 | 80 to 89 |
| Hypertension Stage 2 | > 140 | > 90 |
| Hypertensive Crisis | > 180 | > 120 |
What is the Link Between Blood Pressure, Age, and Gender?
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Blood Pressure and Age
When blood flows through flexible arteries, they constrict and widen as necessary which keeps your blood pressure levels stable. However, as your arteries become more rigid due to aging, they stop relaxing and widening, which results in your blood exerting too much pressure as it flows through them. As you age, the plaque in your blood vessels also grows larger in size, which further narrows your arteries. This results in your blood pressure rising gradually as you grow older.
In some cases, blood flow and circulation get worse with age. This happens because your heart slowly becomes weak and tired and is unable to pump blood around your body efficiently. This leads to your blood pressure levels falling, especially when changing your posture or shifting your position too quickly. Postural hypotension is observed in about 10 to 20% of people over the age of 65 years.
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Blood Pressure and Gender
What is the Normal Blood Pressure Range by Age?
As discussed above, blood pressure levels rise with age. The following table shows the normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure ranges for various age groups. If your blood pressure levels are below the minimum readings or above the maximum readings, you may experience symptoms of hypotension or hypertension respectively.
Source: Vital Sign Measurement Across the Lifespan- 1st Canadian Edition, Jennifer L. Lapum. et al., 2019, p 123.
| Age | Normal Systolic Range | Normal Diastolic Range |
| 0 to 1 month | 45 to 80 mm Hg | 30 to 55 mm Hg |
| 1 to 12 months | 65 to 100 mm Hg | 35 to 65 mm Hg |
| 1 to 5 years | 80 to 115 mm Hg | 55 to 80 mm Hg |
| 6 to 13 years | 80 to 120 mm Hg | 45 to 80 mm Hg |
| 14 to 18 years | 90 to 120 mm Hg | 50 to 80 mm Hg |
| 19 to 40 years | 95 to 135 mm Hg | 60 to 80 mm Hg |
| 41 to 60 years | 110 to 145 mm Hg | 70 to 90 mm Hg |
| Over 60 years | 95 to 145 mm Hg | 70 to 90 mm Hg |
Are Blood Pressure Levels Same in Men and Women?
The following data has been compiled by researchers from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is a US federal agency.
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Normal BP Range for Men
| Age Group | Mean BP in Men |
| 18 to 39 years | 119/70 mm Hg |
| 40 to 59 years | 124/77 mm Hg |
| 60+ years | 133/69 mm Hg |
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Normal BP Range for Women
| Age Group | Mean BP in Women |
| 18 to 39 years | 110/68 mm Hg |
| 40 to 59 years | 122/74 mm Hg |
| 60+ years | 139/68 mm Hg |
When to See a Doctor?
You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms of hypotension (like dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, rapid heartbeat, fainting, etc.) or hypertension (like headache, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, chest pain, etc.). Both these conditions can be serious and cause health problems if left untreated.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or suspect that your blood pressure levels are abnormally low or elevated, consult a cardiologist immediately.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or suspect that your blood pressure levels are abnormally low or elevated, consult a cardiologist immediately.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Blood pressure is defined as the force exerted by your blood on the walls of your arteries as it circulates.
- Blood pressure can vary based on different factors like age, gender, ethnicity, etc.
- As you age, your arteries become stiffer and narrower due to the buildup of plaque (layer of cholesterol, calcium, debris, fatty substances, etc.) in the inner lining of the walls.
- Narrowed and stiffer blood vessels cause your blood pressure to rise as you age.
- Premenopausal women have lower blood pressure levels compared to men of the same age, due to the presence of estrogen and other factors.
- The BP levels in women go up after menopause, and are higher than the BP levels of men of the same age group.
- Consult your doctor or seek medical attention if you are experiencing any symptoms of low or high blood pressure.
- Use the Phable Care App to consult India’s leading cardiologists, order medicines, book lab tests, integrate BP monitors and other devices to get real-time remote care from the comfort of your home. Also, check out our Hypertension Management program which provides 360º care. Let’s treat blood pressure problems together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy blood pressure range?
A blood pressure level below 120/80 mm Hg is considered healthy. Having a blood pressure level below 120/80 mm Hg reduces your risk of developing complications caused by hypertension.
What should a 70-year-old's blood pressure be?
For healthy adults (without hypertension or diabetes) between the ages of 60 to 80 years, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend maintaining a blood pressure range of 120/80 mm Hg. For adults with hypertension between the ages of 60 and 80, the target blood pressure range is below 140/90 mm Hg.
What is the normal blood pressure range for a 60-year-old?
For healthy adults under the age of 65 years, a blood pressure level of below 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal according to the AHA. In hypertensive adults aged 60 to 80 years, the ACC recommends maintaining a target blood pressure level of below 140/90 mm Hg.
Is 140/90 mm Hg high blood pressure?
Yes, a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg is categorized as stage 2 hypertension, which needs medical intervention.
What is stroke level blood pressure?
When you have a blood pressure level that is above 180/120 mm Hg, it is considered a hypertensive crisis, which is considered dangerous as it can lead to a stroke.
Should I worry if my blood pressure is 150/80?
A systolic blood pressure reading greater than 140 mm Hg is classified as stage 2 hypertension, which can cause several health problems if left untreated. If your blood pressure reading is 150/80 mm Hg or above in consistent measurements, seek immediate medical attention.
What is a dangerously low blood pressure level?
A blood pressure level below 90/60 mm Hg is classified as hypotension. Severely low blood pressure levels (< 70/50 mm Hg) can cause fainting, coma, or death if left untreated. If your blood pressure reading is 70/50 mm Hg or lower in consistent measurements, seek immediate medical attention.
(General physician, 6+ years)
An expert in obstetrics and medical emergencies, Dr. Pakhi Sharma, an alumni of Sri Devaraj Urs University of Higher Education and Research Centre, is a general physician working at Phablecare.
She has 6+ years of work experience spread across gynaecology and obstetrics, family medicine, and medical emergencies at renowned hospitals and clinics.