What is normal blood pressure?
The pressure of your blood is measured by millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). You are in the normal range when your blood pressure is no lower than 120/80 but not higher than 120-129/less than 80. When it’s higher than 130/80, it’s considered hypertension, and you will need medication.
The top numbers are systolic pressure, and the bottom ones are diastolic pressure. Both numbers are important, but for seniors, the systolic one is much more important when doctors are determining the patient’s prognosis.
Even if older people are also the ones who get the most side effects from high blood pressure medications, they are also the ones who benefit the most from them. A better control of blood pressure means fewer strokes and heart attacks.
