Blood pressure, often known as BP, refers to the force that the blood column exerts against the arterial walls as the heart pumps blood with each beat. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
The blood pressure reading consists of two numbers (a fraction), and it is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The first number (located higher on the scale) indicates the systolic blood pressure, and the second number (located lower on the scale) indicates the diastolic blood pressure.
Systolic refers to “contraction,” which refers to the pressure that is put on the blood vessels when the heart contracts; diastolic refers to “dilatation,” which refers to the time when the heart is at rest and dilates in between beats.
- According to the American Heart Association (AHA), normal BP in adults is 120/80 mm Hg.
- However, according to the new guidelines issued by the AHA, the goal BP for all adults is now less than 130/80 mm Hg.
Heart rate or pulse is the number of times the heart beats per minute (BPM).
Normal resting heart rates are as follows:
- Adults (18 years and older): 60 to 100 BPM
- Children (6 to 15 years): 70 to 100 BPM
Estimated blood pressure (BP) ranges by age and gender as recommended by the American Heart Association as shown in the chart below.
Note: SBP = Systolic Blood Pressure and DBP = Diastolic Blood Pressure
| Male | Age (years) | SBP (mm Hg) | DBP (mm Hg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 25 | 120.5 | 78.5 | |
| 26 to 30 | 119.5 | 76.5 | |
| 31 to 35 | 114.5 | 75.5 | |
| 36 to 40 | 120.5 | 75.5 | |
| 41 to 45 | 115.5 | 78.5 | |
| 46 to 50 | 119.5 | 80.5 | |
| 51 to 55 | 125.5 | 80.5 | |
| 56 to 60 | 129.5 | 79.5 | |
| 61 to 65 | 143.5 | 76.5 | |
| Female | Age (years) | SBP (mm Hg) | DBP (mm Hg) |
| 21 to 25 | 115.5 | 70.5 | |
| 26 to 30 | 113.5 | 71.5 | |
| 31 to 35 | 110.5 | 72.5 | |
| 36 to 40 | 112.5 | 74.5 | |
| 41 to 45 | 116.5 | 73.5 | |
| 46 to 50 | 124 | 78.5 | |
| 51 to 55 | 122.55 | 74.5 | |
| 56 to 60 | 132.5 | 78.5 | |
| 61 to 65 | 130.5 | 77.5 |
What is a good pulse rate by age?
People who are 15 years old or older should have a resting heart rate that is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM), in accordance with the recommendations of the American Heart Association.
On the other hand, a slow heart rate is typical for persons who engage in strenuous physical activity, are physically fit, or who take certain medications, such as beta-blockers.
Abnormally low pulse rates are a symptom that can be caused by a number of different conditions, including hypothyroidism and sick sinus syndrome.
The following chart provides an illustration of the typical range for heart rate according to age:
| Age | Heart rate in BPM |
|---|---|
| Newborn baby | 100 to 160 |
| 0 to 5 months | 90 to 150 |
| 6 to 12 months | 80 to 140 |
| 1 to 3 years | 80 to 130 |
| 3 to 5 years | 80 to 120 |
| 6 to 10 years | 70 to 110 |
| 11 to 14 years | 60 to 105 |
| 15 years and older | 60 to 100 |
What is normal blood pressure and pulse for a 70-year-old?
According to heart.org, the normal and maximum heart rate for a 70-year-old should be 75-128 BPM and 150 BPM.
| Age (Years) | Target Heart Rate (HR) Zone | Predicted Maximum Heart Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 100-170 | 200 |
| 25 | 98-166 | 195 |
| 30 | 95-162 | 190 |
| 35 | 93-157 | 185 |
| 40 | 90-153 | 180 |
| 45 | 88-149 | 175 |
| 50 | 85-145 | 170 |
| 55 | 83-140 | 165 |
| 60 | 80-136 | 160 |
| 65 | 78-132 | 155 |
| 70 | 75-128 | 150 |
What factors influence blood pressure?
- Age: Blood pressure (BP) tend to increase with age.
- Gender: Women after puberty have low BP than men, whereas, after menopause, women tend high BP.
- Genetics/family history: A family history puts you at risk of high BP.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of high BP.
- Diurnal variation: BP is lower in the morning and gradually increases throughout the day.
- Stress: BP increases during stress, emotions, fear, and anger situations due to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Exercise: Physical activity increases BP, but regular exercises can keep BP in the lower range of normal.
- Pregnancy: Progesterone relaxes the walls of blood vessels, causing decreased peripheral vascular resistance. Some women may develop pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- Diseases: Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, and pheochromocytoma can cause high BP.
- Medications: Certain medications can affect BP such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and prednisone.
- Alcohol or tobacco consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your BP.
5 categories of blood pressure
According to guidelines from the American Heart Association, blood pressure (BP) is categorized into the following:
- Normal: A BP reading of less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated: A consistent systolic reading of 120 to 129 and a diastolic reading below 80 mm Hg
- Hypertnsion stage I: BP ranges from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic
- Hypertension stage II: BP ranges above 140 systolic or above 90 diastolic
- Hypertensive crisis: BP readings suddenly exceed 180 and/or 120 mm Hg, associated with organ damage
What are the types of abnormal heart rate?
A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm is called arrhythmia.
Types of arrhythmias include:
- Bradycardia: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute (BPM)
- Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 BPM
- Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia: Occurs in the atria (upper chamber) of the heart
- Sinus tachycardia: A faster heart rate in a normal-functioning heart
- Ventricular tachycardia: Occurs in the ventricles (lower chamber) of the heart