What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is a measure of the force with which the heart pumps blood into the body.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is reported as 2 numbers:
- systolic pressure - the pressure when the heart pushes blood out
- Diastolic pressure - the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
For example, if your blood pressure is "140 over 90" or 140/90mmHg, that means you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.
As a general guide:
Ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
high blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher
Low blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg or lower.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is often associated with unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and not getting enough exercise.
Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing a number of serious long-term diseases, such as coronary heart disease and kidney disease.
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure is less common. Some medications can cause low blood pressure as a side effect. It can also be caused by a number of underlying diseases, including heart failure and dehydration.
Most common questions about blood pressure
What is the ideal blood pressure?
Normal blood pressure for most adults is defined as a systolic pressure below 120 and a diastolic pressure below 80. Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure below 80.
What should I do if my blood pressure is 130 90?
130/90/ is not bad.... You must fallow strict diet and exercise to prevent future hypertension.... eat foods rich in protein and fiber, such as egg white cooked chicken vegetables fruits pulses, avoid carbohydrate rich foods such as rice curd fatty foods sweets ghee and other junk foods.
What is the normal blood pressure for a 70- to 80-year-old?
The ideal blood pressure for seniors is currently considered to be 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), which is the same for younger adults.
What are the new blood pressure guidelines for seniors 2022?
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The new guidelines change nothing if you're younger than 60. But if you're 60 or older, the target has moved up: your goal is to keep your blood pressure at 150/90 or lower. If you have kidney disease or diabetes, your goal used to be 130/80 or lower; now it's 140/90 or lower.
