Blood Pressure Test: Know the Normal Blood Pressure Scores

• September 10 ,2024

Introduction

Do you know what a healthy blood pressure is? A healthy or normal blood pressure refers to that level of blood pressure which is ideal for your good health or wellbeing. Take a look at this blog to find out blood pressure normal values by age and other key aspects.

What exactly is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measurement of blood flow through your circulatory system. A healthy blood pressure allows sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to different parts of your body, travelling through your blood stream helping nourish your organs and tissues. Blood also transports antibodies and white blood cells necessary for your immunity process, platelets and hormones.

Blood also helps in excretion of toxic substances through the kidneys and liver. Each contraction with each heartbeat pushes blood out, producing your blood pressure. However, the pumping of your heart is not the only factor solely generating blood pressure in your body.

What is normal blood pressure?

Although the ideal blood pressure level varies in every individual, the normal blood pressure everyone should target is 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic.

Hypertension refers to a condition of high blood pressure and low blood pressure is described as hypotension.

What is normal blood pressure by age?

A number of physiological factors are responsible for fluctuating blood pressure levels. These may include your gender, age, ethnic background, lifestyle patterns, emotional state, sleep or levels of regular activity.

• Normal Blood Pressure: Adults

The normal blood pressure of adults should be around 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension is where your systolic blood pressure rises to 130 mm Hg or above, and diastolic blood pressure to 80 mm Hg or above.

• Normal Blood Pressure: Children

Again, different age groups of children tend to witness different blood pressure levels as fit for their health and wellbeing. The following chart shows good blood pressure levels by age fit for children’s health:

Age, height and gender are crucial factors determining the ideal blood pressure for your child’s health.

• Average Blood Pressure according to Age

With advancing ages, our blood vessels tend to get stiffer. This causes the build up of fatty plaque in your blood vessels, raising your overall blood pressure. If you experience high blood pressure levels, these may lead to serious risks of strokes or cardiovascular diseases.

According to age and gender, individuals should maintain an average blood pressure of:

How to maintain healthy blood pressure at any age?

Individuals of any age may go through periods of high pressure. Certain lifestyle changes can help in returning to healthy blood pressure levels: 

• A healthy body weight: Excess weight is the prime cause leading to high blood pressure. 
• A healthy diet: A nutritious diet low in sugar, saturated and trans fat, LDL cholesterol and low salt is ideal. Consuming whole grains, fresh fruits and green vegetables help control your blood pressure levels.
• Regular exercise: You can also focus on regular physical activities from mild to vigorous exercise, or if older, gardening or walking to support a healthy blood pressure.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking on a regular basis is directly linked to raising blood pressure levels. Cutting back drinking can help improve your blood pressure levels.
• Quit smoking habits: Regular smoking can cause significant damages to your arteries, thereby increasing your blood pressure. You must quit smoking to reduce your blood pressure to a normal level.
• Depending on your age, you can also take medications for blood pressure control under the supervision of a medical professional.

Remember that changes in lifestyle habits are necessary even if you take medications for high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Functions

Our circulatory system ensures proper flow of blood through our arteries. At the beginning of its journey from the heart when blood enters the aorta, the blood pressure is the highest. Blood pressure is at it’s lowest when the blood passes through small arterial branches at the end of its journey. This difference in the pressure of the blood throughout the process of circulation enables the blood flow.

Just like the thickness of a garden hose pipe regulates the pressure of water flow, arterial volume regulates the blood flow in a similar way. If the arteries get constricted, the blood pressure automatically increases at the point of constriction. The elastic nature of the arterial walls does not allow the pressure of the blood to fall away more quickly with each pump of your heart.

When the maximum blood pressure occurs at the heart, the arteries regulate this pressure and enables blood flow throughout the entire body. In the blood pressure and blood flow are largely determined by the condition of the arteries. Therefore, constriction of arteries causes blockage to the blood supply, and eventual risks of heart attack and stroke.

Blood Pressure Test: An Overview

The main purpose of a blood pressure test is to determine if your current blood pressure reading denotes a healthy, high or low blood pressure. By blood pressure, we actually mean the force with which our blood pushes open our arterial walls to pump out and transport to different parts of the body.

The condition of low blood pressure called hypotension does not produce any health problem most of the times. However, in some cases low pressure may be the reason of certain concerns like fainting or dizziness.

The condition of high blood pressure called hypertension has many underlying risks like developing strokes, cardiovascular diseases or other heart problems. Delays in treatment can further worsen these conditions. Quick blood pressure tests are, therefore, a crucial part of regular health check up and can be life saving in risky situations.

Blood Pressure Test: When and Where?

You are free to have a blood pressure test any time if you feel concerned or worried regarding your blood pressure. If your age is above 40 years, you must include this blood pressure test as an essential part of your routine health check up. In fact, healthcare experts suggest adults to undertake a blood pressure test every year.

Once you are diagnosed with mild signs of high or low blood pressure, or you are at risk of either one, you will automatically require to more frequent blood pressure check-ups. This is to keep a track of any progression of your blood pressure rates.

Here are some places where you can get your blood pressure tested:

• Local GP
• Most pharmacies
• Doctor’s clinics

Several local companies offer blood pressure checks for free if you are above 40 years or match all the eligibility criteria for this test.

Blood Pressure Test Procedure

• Although most of the blood pressure measuring devices include an arm cuff, a sphygmomanometer is the most common among all.

• The sphygmomanometer includes a cuff and a rubber armband which is inflated through a machine pump.

• The healthcare professional usually wraps the arm cuff around your upper arm and then fills it tightly with air. This may be uncomfortable, but do not panic as it requires just a few seconds.

• You must not talk and rather relax at this moment to give an accurate reading of your blood pressure.

• The healthcare professional generally uses a stethoscope to record your blood pressure.

• This record the pressure required to move the mercury against gravity through a tube. This is why blood pressure is measured in unit millimetres of mercury or mm Hg.

• Automatic devices use sensors in the arm to display digital blood pressure results.

• After the process, you can get your test results straight away.

• You will not feel any kind of discomfort or pain during this blood pressure test process except a temporary sensation of tightness for a few seconds.

Measuring Your Blood Pressure There are 2 main readings of blood pressure and the unit of measurement is millimetres of mercury or mm Hg.

• Systolic pressure is the pressure applied by your heart while pushing blood out around your entire body

• Diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted when your heart rests in between the beats, and blood is pushed around your heart at this time

The higher reading is the systolic pressure and this is denoted first. The lower reading is the diastolic pressure and this is denoted in the second.

For example, if we look at the normal blood pressure as 120 over 80 or 120/80 mm Hg, 120 mm Hg indicates your systolic blood pressure reading, while 90 mm Hg indicates your diastolic reading.

Interpretation of Your Blood Pressure Readings: Blood Pressure Chart

The general understanding of your blood pressure test results suggests:

• 140/90 mm Hg or above – High Blood Pressure

You can consider this value as the cut off point denoting your hypertension, a condition of high blood pressure. At this point, you start to face risks of severe health complications due to high pressure. In fact, you may have to take medications and adopt some lifestyle changes as per your doctor’s instructions to lower your blood pressure to normal levels.

• 120/80 mm Hg to 140/90 mm Hg – Pre-high Blood Pressure

This status is also known as ‘pre-high’ or ‘high-normal’ blood pressure. This blood pressure level does not necessarily mean you have a high pressure, but is indicates that your blood pressure scores are a little higher than normal. It means you are vulnerable to the risks of high pressure in the future.

• 90/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg – Ideal Blood Pressure

This is a normal or healthy blood pressure reading that denotes you have negligible risks of heart diseases or stroke. You can maintain this healthy range of blood pressure by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits.

• 90/60 mm Hg or below – Low Blood Pressure

This value denotes a relatively lower blood pressure, but this is not a sign of any health issue. A lower reading of blood pressure is not much serious, but it may cause you to faint or become dizzy.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are having a blood pressure reading of 180/120 mm Hg or above, then it is a serious issue and you require immediate medical attention. Contact Blood London when you have hypertension and experiencing the symptoms below:

• Pain in the chest and back
• Breathing shortness and trouble
• Difficulty in speaking clearly
• Change of vision

Summary

People often wonder what a healthy blood pressure means. Although the normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, the ideal level of blood pressure varies across individuals depending on factors like their age, gender or lifestyle patterns. The above blog shows the normal blood pressure according to varying ages and also describes key problems and challenges underlying high blood pressure.

FAQs

Are your blood pressure readings a one-off?

You may observe that the higher reading or systolic blood pressure may remain consistently high above 140 mm Hg, while the lower score or diastolic blood pressure is in a healthy range. This condition is referred to as Isolated Systolic Hypertension. On the other hand, you will notice in some cases that the lower reading or diastolic blood pressure is not dropping below 90 mm Hg for a consistently longer period, but the systolic blood pressure reading is normal. Such a condition denotes Isolated Diastolic Hypertension.

There are a handful of physiological factors determining your blood pressure level throughout the day. For instance, your stress level, the time you ate for the last time or your body temperature. This is why if you observe a single high reading of your blood pressure; do not panic recognising it to be a high blood pressure. In such circumstances, your healthcare professional will suggest recurrent check up for several times in the following few weeks to detect if your high blood pressure is consistent, or if it is just a one-off.

Which blood pressure reading is most important?

Although both the higher and lower readings of blood pressure are important in monitoring your heart health, several research studies prioritise the higher blood pressure number. It has been found that people having a relatively higher systolic blood pressure (the top reading) are usually more prone to developing cardiovascular problems or strokes. A higher diastolic blood pressure (the bottom reading) does not involve as much health risk as the systolic one.

Can I check my blood pressure at home?

In case you have hypertension, a condition of high blood pressure, your healthcare specialist will definitely suggest you to undergo an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for continuous 24 hours.

ABPM tests will require you putting on a portable device on your waist attached to a cuff. This will help you record your blood pressure continuously while performing your daily activities at the same time. You can also buy a blood pressure checking device at home for just routine check up with the guidance of your doctor. You can also go for a digital machine that helps you get the blood pressure test results more easily.

What is the ideal time for measuring your blood pressure?

The blood pressure level in every individual tends to vary slightly throughout the day. You should, therefore, try to take two different blood pressure readings at two different times in a day. For instance, you should take the first reading when you wake up or before exercising eating or taking some medication. You can again take your next reading in the evening before going to bed. Remember to maintain a consistent time gap between the two blood pressure readings, whenever you take them.

What are the risks to my high blood pressure?

A high blood pressure occurs silently and does not include any such symptom initially. You can only be able to detect your high blood pressure by checking it on a regular basis, either with the help of a healthcare specialist or by yourself at home.

However, certain risk factors to getting a high blood pressure include:

1. Little to no exercise: People not exercising regularly are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

2. An unhealthy diet: Unhealthy diet, for instance, food items rich in sugar, salt, trans fat or saturated fat, further enhance the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

3. Obesity: An obese or overweight condition puts stress on your heart to transport oxygen and blood throughout your body.

4. Exposure to tobacco: Your arteries can largely be affected by your smoking habits or any second hand exposure to tobacco, raising your blood pressure as a consequence.

5. Quit drinking: You may get a high blood pressure and different heart problems if you have regular drinking habits.

6. Age and gender: While males are more prone to developing a high blood pressure than females, risks of hypertension increase with increasing ages in individuals.

7. Genetic conditions: If any of your family members has a past medical history of high blood pressure, then you are likely developing this condition more often.

How can I prevent a high blood pressure?

You can prevent a high blood pressure and control it to a healthy level by following the tips below:

• Try to maintain a moderate body weight suitable to your height
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Involve in physical activities like brisk walking for 30 minutes regularly
• Managing stress
• Quit smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption

What causes a low blood pressure?

Certain health issues are responsible for the occurrence of a low blood pressure, for instance:

• Dehydration
• Pregnancy
• Internal bleeding
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Heart disease
• Certain medications ‘

Consult a doctor in case you experience some other symptoms.

Do I need to worry about a low blood pressure?

Although hypotension, a condition of low blood pressure is not a matter of major concern, it may point to certain health issues at times. An individual having blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg tends to experience a hypotensive condition.

Healthcare specialists do not consider low blood pressure as a cause of tension unless the individual begins exhibiting symptoms like heart palpitations, headache, dizziness or confusion.