What is a Healthy Blood Pressure and Heart Rate for a 30-Year-Old Smoker?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the assessment of blood pressure and heart rate for a 30-year-old smoker, focusing on whether the reported values are considered healthy or normal. Participants explore the implications of lifestyle factors such as smoking and exercise on cardiovascular health.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports a blood pressure of 116/82 and a heart rate of 63, questioning if these values are good, bad, or normal.
  • Another participant suggests that the reported values are good, provided the individual sat for a few minutes after activity, and mentions a general guideline of wanting blood pressure below 120/80.
  • A different participant states that the blood pressure is normal, sharing their own typical readings and experiences with lower heart rates during athletic activities.
  • One participant expresses concern that the blood pressure is on the borderline of pre-hypertension, referencing specific ranges for systolic and diastolic readings.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of professional checks, noting that machines may not always be accurate and suggesting that a healthcare professional should verify the readings.
  • Some participants discuss the variability of blood pressure due to factors like stress and exertion, highlighting the need for a consistent history of readings.
  • There is mention of the potential long-term effects of smoking on cardiovascular health, with participants acknowledging their own smoking habits while discussing risks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the healthiness of the reported blood pressure and heart rate. While some view the values as acceptable, others raise concerns about their implications, particularly in the context of smoking and exercise. No consensus is reached on whether the values are definitively good or indicative of potential health issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering the context of the blood pressure measurement, such as the timing after physical activity and the reliability of the measuring device. There is also a recognition of individual variability in blood pressure readings based on lifestyle and health history.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in understanding blood pressure and heart rate metrics, particularly those with similar lifestyle factors or concerns about cardiovascular health.

g33kski11z
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While I was at work I had it tested. BP was 116 over 82. Heart rate was 63.
I guess that's good considering I smoke and don't eat real healthy. .. and I'm 30 for the record.

So is that good, bad, normal?
 
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That's pretty good. Did you sit for five minutes after being active?
I'd say from your heart rate you probably were.
As a general rule of thumb, health care workers want to see less than 120/80 average.
If your blood pressure is consistently where it is now, I'd say you probably don't have any blood pressure problems.

Another good test is to see how fast your blood pressure goes back to normal after exercise. Do jumping jacks or push ups for a few minutes and measure your blood pressure every 5 minutes until it comes back down. 15 minutes or less is good for it to go back to baseline.

Oh, just to nag, smoking is bad, your chances of having heart related illness, CVA, etc ... are greatly increased, but I'm one to talk, I do it too.
 
Wow, that's very good!
 
g33kski11z said:
While I was at work I had it tested. BP was 116 over 82. Heart rate was 63.
I guess that's good considering I smoke and don't eat real healthy. .. and I'm 30 for the record.
That's normal. My BP is typically 110/70, although it has been measure at 85/60, even after riding a bike. My pulse rates is in the 60's/70's, but it has been in the 40's back when I road a bike everyday, ran long distance and played football.
 
fedaykin said:
...Did you sit for five minutes after being active?...
No, I wasn't.. actually, we had just walked up the steps and saw it there so we all tried it.. I may have waited like 3-4 min before I took it...
.. ok, as long as it's good, I feel better..

Astronuc said:
...been in the 40's back when I road a bike everyday, ran long distance and played football.
You played football in the forties.. ?? :smile:
 
g33kski11z said:
While I was at work I had it tested. BP was 116 over 82. Heart rate was 63.
I guess that's good considering I smoke and don't eat real healthy. .. and I'm 30 for the record.

So is that good, bad, normal?
It's a bit high, you are right on the borderlinre of what is considered above normal and "pre-hypertension".

Prehypertension
Blood pressure in this category used to be considered high-normal.
Systolic (upper reading) 120-139
or
Diastolic (lower reading) 80-89

Here is the latest on what is normal, pre-hypertension, and hypertension.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0803a.shtml
 
Last edited by a moderator:
g33kski11z said:
No, I wasn't.. actually, we had just walked up the steps and saw it there so we all tried it.. I may have waited like 3-4 min before I took it...
.. ok, as long as it's good, I feel better..

Following exercise, that's good. Since it sounds like you may have used some sort of machine out for you to use, it's still a good idea to have it checked by a healthcare professional (you can even get blood pressure and heart rate checked by a pharmacist now, if you didn't know that was an option, or if insurance covers it, a nurse at your doctor's office can check it). The reason I suggest this is that sometimes the machines sitting out places aren't serviced/calibrated well, and can be a bit misleading. You can check your own heart rate though...find your pulse and count. 70 is average. Up to 100 can be considered within the normal range, but if you're just resting and it goes over 80, I'd recommend having a doctor check it out.

And, just because the smoking hasn't gotten you yet... You know the rest. :wink:
 
Definitely have it checked professionally as Moonbear says.

For most of my life my blood pressure was around 90/60, it wasn't until a few years ago that it started going up. Now with blood pressure medicine it's back to around 112/60. The upper number is extremely variable, it can go up dramatically from stress, pain, and exertion.

At the age of 30 you should have a history of what your blood pressure has been, but perhaps you are one of those people that have never been to the doctor. If you have an family history of high blood pressure, you definitely need to start having your blood pressure checked.

I don't know if "walked up the steps" means a few steps or 6 flights of stairs. If you just went up a flight of steps at a normal pace, that's not the same as having excercized. :biggrin:
 
Last edited:
Moonbear said:
...sounds like you may have used some sort of machine out for you to use...
Yea, it was one of those "sit down and put your arm in it" things.
Moonbear said:
...And, just because the smoking hasn't gotten you yet...
:rolleyes: yea.. I know..
Evo said:
...At the age of 30 you should have a history of what your blood pressure has been, but perhaps you are one of those people that have never been to the doctor...
No, I've been to the doctor.. I just never really payed attention to the numbers they said. As long as they said I was ok, I was happy.
Evo said:
...I don't know if "walked up the steps" means a few steps or 6 flights of stairs...
4 flights..
 
  • #10
As a general rule, your blood pressure has to be consistently in a certain range to be considered in that range.

There can be other problems with blood pressure, such as taking a long time to lower after exercise.
 

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