Blood Pressure Measurement

A blood pressure measurement is a test that measures the force (pressure) in your arteries as your heart pumps. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: systolic blood pressure (the first and higher number) measures the pressure inside your arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure (the second and lower number) measures the pressure inside the artery when the heart rests between beats. 

The five blood pressure ranges, as recognized by the American Heart Association, are:

Normal: Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) are considered within the normal range.

Elevated: Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120 to 129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.

Hypertension Stage 1: Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic.

Hypertension Stage 2: Hypertension Stage 2 is when blood pressure consistently is 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

Hypertensive crisis: This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If your readings are still unusually high, contact your healthcare professional immediately.

Blood pressure can be measured by a healthcare team member at a doctor’s office, at a pharmacy that has a digital blood pressure measurement machine, or with a home blood pressure monitor that you can use yourself. 

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To get an accurate measurement, it is recommended to take your blood pressure at the same time every day, take at least two readings, and rest for at least five minutes before measurements. 

During the measurement, a healthcare professional wraps an inflatable cuff around your arm, inflates the cuff, and then slowly lets air out of the cuff while listening to your pulse with a stethoscope and watching the gauge. If using a digital or automatic blood pressure cuff, the healthcare professional will not need to use a stethoscope.

Blood pressure measurement methods

There are three commonly used methods for measuring blood pressure for clinical purposes: clinic readings, self-monitoring by the patient at home, and 24-hour ambulatory readings. 

To get reliable readings, blood pressure should be measured over several days and while resting. During the measurement, a healthcare professional wraps an inflatable cuff around your arm, inflates the cuff, and then slowly lets air out of the cuff while listening to your pulse with a stethoscope and watching the gauge. 

Digital blood pressure monitors are often used on the wrist, but they can also be placed on the finger or upper arm and are activated simply by pressing a button. However, digital meters can sometimes be inaccurate and produce unreliable readings, especially in people with certain heart rhythm problems or arteries that have hardened due to arteriosclerosis. 

A sphygmomanometer is another instrument used for manual readings. It has three parts: a cuff that can be inflated with air, a pressure meter (manometer) for measuring air pressure in the cuff, and a stethoscope for listening to the pulse.

What are the 4 types of blood pressure?

There are four types of blood pressure ranges recognized by the American Heart Association:

1. Normal: Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) are considered within the normal range.

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2. Elevated: Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120 to 129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.

3. Hypertension Stage 1: Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic.

4. Hypertension Stage 2: Hypertension Stage 2 is when blood pressure consistently is 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

The two main types of high blood pressure

1. Primary hypertension: This is the most common type of high blood pressure and doesn’t have a single, obvious cause. Usually, many factors come together to cause it.

2. Secondary hypertension: This type of high blood pressure has at least one distinct cause that healthcare providers can identify. Common causes of secondary hypertension include kidney disease, sleep apnea, and certain medications.

To get an accurate measurement, it is recommended to take your blood pressure at the same time every day, take at least two readings, and rest for at least five minutes before measurements.

What is the normal blood pressure for women?

According to the American Heart Association, normal blood pressure for women is less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic. Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers and written as a ratio. 

The top number, systolic, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, while the bottom number, diastolic, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. 

Blood pressure chart by age and gender

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Blood pressure can vary depending on age and gender. Here are some blood pressure charts by age and gender:

Blood Pressure Chart by Age and Gender (Baptist Health)

• Newborns up to 1 month: 60–90 mm Hg systolic, 20–60 mm Hg diastolic
• Infants: 87–105 mm Hg systolic, 53–66 mm Hg diastolic
• Toddlers: 95–105 mm Hg systolic, 53–66 mm Hg diastolic
• Preschoolers: 95–110 mm Hg systolic, 56–70 mm Hg diastolic
• School-aged children: 97–112 mm Hg systolic, 57–71 mm Hg diastolic
• Adolescents: 112–128 mm Hg systolic, 66–80 mm Hg diastolic

Women:

• 18-39 years: 110/68 mm Hg
• 40-59 years: 122/74 mm Hg
• 60+ years: 139/68 mm Hg

Men:

• 18-39 years: 119/70 mm Hg
• 40-59 years: 124/77 mm Hg
• 60+ years: 133/69 mm Hg

Blood Pressure Chart by Age and Sex (Verywell Health)

• Newborns: 60-96 mm Hg systolic, 20-60 mm Hg diastolic
• Infants: 72-104 mm Hg systolic, 37-60 mm Hg diastolic
• Children: 84-120 mm Hg systolic, 54-80 mm Hg diastolic
• Adolescents: 94-139 mm Hg systolic, 62-88 mm Hg diastolic

Adults:

• 18-39 years: 119/70 mm Hg
• 40-59 years: 124/78 mm Hg
• 60+ years: 134/78 mm Hg

Blood Pressure Chart by Age and Gender (MedicineNet)

Men:

• 21-25 years: 120.5/78.5 mm Hg
• 26-30 years: 119.5/76.5 mm Hg
• 31-35 years: 114.5/75.5 mm Hg
• 36-40 years: 120.5/75.5 mm Hg
• 41-45 years: 115.5/78.5 mm Hg
• 46-50 years: 119.5/80.5 mm Hg
• 51-55 years: 125.5/80.5 mm Hg
• 56-60 years: 129.5/79.5 mm Hg
• 61-65 years: 143.5/76.5 mm Hg

Women:

• 21-25 years: 115.5/70.5 mm Hg
• 26-30 years: 113.5/71.5 mm Hg
• 31-35 years: 110.5/72.5 mm Hg
• 36-40 years: 112.5/74.5 mm Hg
• 41-45 years: 116.5/73.5 mm Hg
• 46-50 years: 120.5/75.5 mm Hg
• 51-55 years: 129.5/76.5 mm Hg
• 56-60 years: 132.5/78.5 mm Hg
• 61-65 years: 143.5/79.5 mm Hg

It is important to note that blood pressure can vary depending on many factors, including age, gender, and overall health. 

What is the new normal blood pressure for seniors?

According to the American Heart Association, normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. 

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However, 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. 

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association updated their guidelines in 2017 to recommend men and women who are 65 or older aim for a blood pressure lower than 130/80 mm Hg. 

However, some doctors believe that the target might be too aggressive for older people, who may be more prone to side effects from blood pressure drugs, such as dizziness and falls.

Older adults whose blood pressure is elevated but lower than 130/80 mm Hg can usually help regulate their blood pressure through lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, eating a heart-healthy diet that’s low in salt, and limiting alcohol. 

It is important to note that blood pressure can vary depending on many factors, including age, gender, and overall health. 

It is recommended to take your blood pressure at the same time every day, take at least two readings, and rest for at least five minutes before measurements to get an accurate reading.

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