What is the Target Blood Pressure for an Elderly Woman?
The target blood pressure for 80 year old woman is not the same as the one for younger individuals. Even within the senior age group, the target BP for males and females is different. Understanding these differences and the target BP will help you maintain good health.
The Normal Blood Pressure
It is 120/80 mm HG where mm stands for millimeters, and Hg stands for mercury. Now electronic pressure gauges are used for reading and not the mercury pressure gauges used earlier, but the historical mm Hg abbreviation remains in use. Both the first and second numbers of a BP reading are important for knowing the accurate BP.
The first higher number indicates the systolic pressure which the heart creates when it pumps blood through the blood vessels. The second lower number indicates diastolic pressure. The BP machine detects this reading when the heart relaxes during the blood-pumping process. Any increase in systolic BP over 120 and diastolic BP over 80 is considered abnormal, requiring medical attention.
What is the Target Blood Pressure for Elderly?
Prominent heart organizations have suggested 130/80 BP readings as normal for people over 60. Individuals in this age group usually have other health complications that affect their BP. Some doctors earlier believed that the systolic BP for people over 65 should be 150, but now this recommendation is disputed, and the 135 number is considered the right target.
Doctors have realized that high systolic BP in old individuals can contribute to heart attacks and strokes, so older people should try to bring this reading below 130.
What is Target Blood Pressure for 80 Year Old?
A BP reading of 134/84 is considered the target BP for women over 60. More specifically, females in the age group of 60-65 should set a target of 130/80 BP. The reading of 135/85 is considered right for women in the age group of 66-70 years. Females of the 71-75 age group should aim for 140/90, and those in the age group of 76-80 should target 145/95 BP. The target blood pressure for 80 year old woman should be 145/95.
Heart health organizations have lowered the BP recommendations for seniors to 130/80 from 140/90, which was recommended earlier. This change means more senior individuals now come under the category of those who have high blood pressure. They must take steps to bring down their BP by working in consultation with their doctor.
Those who have been diagnosed with HBP or hypertension can do many things to keep their BP within the healthy range. The first step in this initiative is to take the BP reading regularly at the recommended intervals. It is also important to take the BP reading correctly, whether at home or the clinic. Follow the detailed guidelines you receive in this matter from your healthcare support provider.
Even those adults who have their blood pressure within the recommended range should get their BP checked by a trained healthcare professional at least once every two years. More frequent BP checks are recommended for senior individuals. Those who have been diagnosed with HBP will receive a treatment plan from their doctor.
You must follow this plan carefully to maintain your blood pressure at the right level or to bring it down if it regularly remains at an elevated level. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and even medication. Dr. Storch can help you devise this plan after evaluating your medical reports, and you can contact him here to develop this plan.
Variable BP Numbers
Don’t feel concerned if you get variable BP numbers on the same day or in a week. Slight variations in the BP numbers taken over different times are normal. This is why you will receive the recommendation to take your BP readings regularly and keep a record of these readings. Blood pressure varies in a day or day to day, and it can change due to various reasons. Take BP readings at the recommended times and follow the guidelines related to the body position and posture when taking this reading.
Why do BP Numbers Change for Elderly People?
Blood vessels lose their elasticity with advancing age. Stiff arteries are unable to maintain healthy blood flow speed, so after years of blood flow, they can develop micro tears on their interior lining where plaque deposits start accumulating, restricting the blood flow. It makes the blood-cleaning job of the kidneys difficult. In turn, it worsens the problem as impurities start staying in the blood, creating the problem of high blood pressure.
Elderly people are at higher risk of high blood pressure due to advancing age-related complications. Poor lifestyle choices, stress, sleep apnea, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, chronic illness, and medication side effects are some of the reasons that can worsen the HBP condition.
Consult Dr. Storch here if you would like to manage and control your HBP and bring it to the normal level. He will suggest appropriate and practical steps you can take to achieve your goal of lowering HBP or maintaining the right blood pressure.
