Normal blood pressure versus age, good to go up?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between normal blood pressure and age, exploring whether an increase in blood pressure with age is beneficial or detrimental. Participants share personal experiences and seek clarification on the implications of blood pressure readings, particularly in the context of aging and health.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes their blood pressure reading of 120/80 after exercise and questions whether it is normal for blood pressure to rise with age, expressing confusion about the implications of such a rise.
  • Another participant suggests that the blood pressure reading is good for the age and attributes it to exercise and diet, but emphasizes the importance of consulting a doctor for personalized advice.
  • A later reply points out that blood pressure should ideally be measured at rest, not immediately after exercise, and reiterates the need for medical consultation regarding the readings.
  • One participant expresses a desire to understand whether a stable reading of 120/80 as one ages is necessarily bad and questions if "normal" is simply an average for the population of their age group.
  • Another participant explains that while blood pressure may increase with age, this is generally not considered a good thing, citing isolated systolic hypertension and its association with cardiovascular risk as a concern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether an increase in blood pressure with age is beneficial or harmful. While some acknowledge the commonality of rising blood pressure, others argue against it being a positive development, indicating an unresolved debate on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various studies and medical guidelines regarding blood pressure and aging, but there are limitations in the discussion, such as the lack of consensus on what constitutes "normal" blood pressure and the implications of individual readings.

Spinnor
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A Google image search of "normal blood pressure versus age" came up with charts that I don't understand completely. Consider the following information.

blood-pressure-chart-by-age1.png


Also see,

http://www.betterhealthfacts.com/2014/02/normal-blood-pressure-for-men.html

It looks like it is normal for blood pressure to rise with age but is that a good thing?

Years ago I bought a blood pressure reader and lately have been checking my blood pressure. After a long bike ride tonight it was 120/80 and I'm thinking, getting better readings lately but looking at the chart above for someone aged 58 it looks as if I need to smoke and eat more to raise my blood pressure towards "normal". I guessing that is the wrong conclusion to reach?

Thanks for any help!
 
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It sounds like your BP is great for your age -- probably related to your exercise routine and probably a good diet. You should discuss your numbers with your doctor, since it would be a bad idea for us to give you advice about your numbers (which I envy!)
 
Spinnor said:
Years ago I bought a blood pressure reader and lately have been checking my blood pressure. After a long bike ride tonight it was 120/80...
While this thread is currently locked pending discussion of whether it violates our medical advice rules, I still feel the need to point out that if you are checking your blood pressure soon after exercise, you are doing it wrong: it should be checked when in a state of rest. Check it before the bike ride.

...And consult with your doctor about the meaning of the results.
 
Thread reopened. Note that we can't give you any diagnosis regarding your blood pressure, if you are concerned then consult a doctor. This thread will stay open so long as the discussion revolves around the reasons behind blood pressure increases with age.
 
Thanks. I checked it about 30 minutes after the ride and have taken note that readings are not taken after exercise to indicate your health. I was not really looking for advice but wanted to understand the table I included. The table makes it look like it is normal for blood pressure reading to rise with age but my real question was is that necessarily good? What if it stayed 120/80 as you aged, what is bad with that. Is "normal" just average for the population of people my age?

Will talk with the doctor next time I'm in about the table.

Thanks again.
 
Blood pressure may increase with age, but that is not a good thing.

Isolated systolic hypertension, an elevation in systolic but not diastolic pressure, is the most prevalent type of hypertension in those aged 50 or over, occurring either de novo or as a development after a long period of systolic‐diastolic hypertension with or without treatment. The increase in blood pressure with age is mostly associated with structural changes in the arteries and especially with large artery stiffness. It is known from various studies that rising blood pressure is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In the elderly, the most powerful predictor of risk is increased pulse pressure due to decreased diastolic and increased systolic blood pressure. All evidence indicates that treating the elderly hypertensive patient will reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805932/
 

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