Blood pressure in humans - norms by age

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Blood or arterial pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of blood vessels. It is determined by the volume of blood that the heart pushes out per unit time, and the strength of the vascular response resistance. Pressure creates conditions that allow blood to reach organs and supply them with oxygen and the nutrients it transports. It is believed that a person’s blood pressure is normal when the heart copes with its pumping function and the blood vessels remain elastic and strong.

What should normal blood pressure be and how to treat hypertension.

October 20, 2022
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Content

• Blood pressure: what is it?
• Pressure standards
• Blood pressure norms by age
• How to measure blood pressure correctly?
• Why can pressure “jump”?
• How to choose blood pressure pills
• The most popular blood pressure pills
• Veroshpiron
• Verapamil
• Captopril
• Bisoprolol
• Losartan

Each person's blood pressure norms are individual; this indicator is influenced by many factors. Nevertheless, there are average medical indicators that need to be guided by. Medical pressure standards help the doctor determine that there is a health problem.

Pressure can change depending on a person’s age, time of day, etc. We tell you what normal blood pressure a person has at a certain age, why it changes, and what is considered a deviation.

Pressure standards

Blood pressure in an adult is measured only at rest, because physical and emotional stress significantly distort the real picture.

As for normal blood pressure numbers, today doctors recognize the following indicators:

• 120/80 mm Hg.
  Art. – absolute norm;
• 130/85 mm Hg.
  Art. – slightly increased;
• 139/89 mm Hg.
  Art. – increased normal;
• above 140/90
  – pathology.

With age, various irreversible changes occur in the body, so the older a person gets, the higher his blood pressure.

Low blood pressure in the elderly: hypotension

A sharp deterioration in general condition causes low blood pressure in an elderly person. Hypotension develops when blood pressure readings are below 100/60. It can be the result of a long stay in bed after an illness, surgery, poor nutrition, or taking medications that lower blood pressure. Weather, excessive emotional stress, nervous disorders, and acute blood loss affect health.

Signs of the disease:

• headache;
• weakness;
• noise, ringing in the ears;
• blurred vision (floaters before the eyes);
• fainting;
• feeling of chilliness in the limbs;
• cold sweat;
• blackout.

Without help, an ischemic stroke may occur or dementia may gradually set in.

Blood pressure norms by age

There is no definite answer to the question “what is a person’s normal blood pressure?”, since, as we said above, everyone has their own characteristics of the body. According to medical indicators, the normal pressure for people 20-40 years old is 120/80 mm Hg. Art.

At the age of 16-20 years, a person may have slightly low blood pressure (approximately 100/70 mm Hg.

), and this is a physiological norm.

Blood pressure norms by age
Photos from open sources

With age, as shown in the table, both systolic and diastolic pressure increase.

To control your blood pressure and detect problems in time, you need to be able to use a tonometer and keep a special blood pressure diary. It is advisable to have this device at home, no matter what age you are.

How to measure blood pressure correctly?

At home, it is easier to use an automatic tonometer, because semi-automatic and especially manual tonometers require certain skills. Rules for measuring pressure:

1. Before measuring blood pressure, you need to eliminate emotional and physical stress, calm down and relax as much as possible.
2. Do not smoke before taking measurements.
3. Sit comfortably in a chair with back support.
4. Place the arm on which you are putting the cuff on at heart level (that is, it is better to do this at the table).
5. Do not talk or move during the measurement.
6. It is advisable to measure the pressure on both hands (first one, then after 10 minutes - the second).

If you find a significant deviation from the norm, be sure to consult a doctor. If he suspects hypertension (high blood pressure), he will need to take special medications.

St. Petersburg State Budgetary Healthcare Institution "Polyclinic No. 98"

Blood pressure level is one of the clearest indicators of health status. True, most often the need to monitor blood pressure is remembered in diseases of the cardiovascular system. In fact, everyone should know everything about their blood pressure, because it changes for various reasons.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries. It is uneven and fluctuates depending on the phase of the heart. During systole, when the heart contracts and releases another portion of blood into the vessels, the pressure increases. And in diastole, when the heart relaxes and fills with blood, the pressure in the arteries decreases. The blood pressure on the walls of the arteries in systole is called “upper” or systolic, and in diastole – “lower” or diastolic. It is customary to write the blood pressure value using a fraction: the first is the upper, the second is the lower.

Blood pressure is one of the most important indicators of the cardiovascular system. In most healthy people it is relatively constant. But under the influence of stress, physical activity, overwork, drinking large amounts of liquid and under the influence of other factors, its value may change. Typically, such changes are either not too frequent or not too strong, and do not exceed 20 mm during the day. rt. Art. – for systolic, 10 mm. rt. Art. – for diastolic. But, a repeated or persistent decrease or increase in pressure beyond the normal range may be an alarming signal of illness and requires immediate consultation with a doctor.

Blood pressure standards according to WHO classification

The ideal “cosmonaut pressure” is 120/80 mm. rt. Art. However, many doctors agree that everyone has their own ideal, and therefore often ask about the patient’s “working” pressure. Working blood pressure is the usual constant blood pressure interval that provides a person with good health. Since this interval is individual, for someone 115/80 with a working 130/90 may be lower, although it falls within the normal range. And, conversely, with a working level of 110/80, 130/90 may become elevated. Knowing the working pressure helps the doctor to timely identify pathology, make a more accurate diagnosis and choose the right treatment.

However, it is worth remembering that pressure beyond the lower and upper limits of the norm is not working for a healthy person. And feeling normal in this case is only an additional reason to seek advice from a specialist.

Who needs to monitor blood pressure levels and how?

One of the most common disorders of blood pressure regulation is hypertension. Often behind it lies hypertension, leading to myocardial infarction, stroke and other serious complications. Unfortunately, arterial hypertension is often asymptomatic, so everyone needs to monitor their blood pressure. People who are prone to increasing it, who are exposed to risk factors for developing hypertension and experiencing its symptoms should be especially careful and measure blood pressure from time to time. For the rest, annual monitoring during the medical examination period is quite sufficient. But for those who have been diagnosed with arterial hypertension, it would be good to make friends with a tonometer and check the pressure level at least twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

It is imperative to measure blood pressure if you experience weakness, dizziness, headache, darkening, “veil” in the eyes, tinnitus, difficulty breathing, pain and heaviness in the heart area or behind the sternum, or when other symptoms appear that usually accompany an increase or decrease in pressure.

It is also worth monitoring blood pressure during exercise, especially when selecting a load.

How to measure blood pressure correctly?

If the blood pressure measurement is planned, then one hour before the measurement you should not drink alcohol, drinks containing caffeine (tea, cola, coffee) or smoke, and five minutes before the measurement, ensure yourself a state of rest.

At the first visit to the doctor, the pressure is measured on both arms alternately. If the results differ by more than 10 mm. rt. Art., then the subsequent measurement is carried out on the arm with a high blood pressure value. However, normally the readings are approximately the same. The difference between them exceeds 10 mm. rt. Art., indicates an increased risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system and death from them or an existing pathology.

Blood pressure is usually measured while sitting or lying down. The hand on which the measurement is taken should be freed from clothing and compressive objects, relaxed and motionless. To avoid unwanted tension, it can be placed on an object that provides a support point, such as a table or the edge of a bed. It is best to position the limb so that the elbow is at the level of the heart. The arm should not have arteriovenous fistulas for dialysis, traces of a section of the brachial artery, or lymphedema.

The cuff is placed on the shoulder 2 cm above the elbow. It is important that it fits your hand tightly, but does not squeeze it.

Ideally, blood pressure is measured twice with an interval of 2 minutes. If the result differs by more than 5 mm. rt. Art. – after 2 minutes, take the third measurement and calculate the average value.

The method of measuring pressure depends on the device used and is indicated in the operating instructions.

How to choose a pressure measuring device?

The device for measuring pressure is called a tonometer. There are two types of tonometers - mechanical and electronic (automatic and semi-automatic).

A mechanical tonometer is inexpensive, reliable, lasts a long time, guarantees high measurement accuracy, is easy to use, but requires certain skills and is more difficult to use without assistance.

The electronic tonometer is convenient and simple; you can easily use it yourself. In addition to devices that measure pressure on the shoulder, there are also those that measure it on the wrist. This tonometer can be carried with you, which is sometimes important for some hypertensive patients. And devices with large dials come in very handy for older people. Many of the electronic tonometers show the pulse, remember the data of the latest measurements and are equipped with some other functions, the quantity and quality of which largely depends on the price of the device. But automatic and semi-automatic devices are more expensive than mechanical ones, less accurate and may last slightly less. In addition, in some diseases, blood pressure is very difficult to measure with an electronic tonometer, for example, with atrial fibrillation.

When purchasing a tonometer, you must pay attention to the presence of instructions in Russian, a passport of the device, a warranty card and the absence of visible defects. And when purchasing an electronic device, it also depends on the country of origin. Japanese and German devices are traditionally considered the best.

If the choice falls on a mechanical tonometer, it is worth remembering that it requires a phonendoscope. It is often not included in the package.

It is best to buy pressure measuring devices at a pharmacy or specialty store. If the device is purchased secondhand, the accuracy of the measurement and its service life cannot be guaranteed.

The average width of the cuff should be 13–17 cm, for children - a little less, for overweight people - a little more.

Before use, the tonometer should be checked and, if necessary, adjusted. It is easier and more correct to do this with the help of a doctor.

How to measure blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer?

Not everyone can measure pressure independently with a mechanical tonometer, so the help of another person is advisable.

In addition to a tonometer, you will need a phonendoscope for measurements.

A phonendoscope is a device for listening to sounds accompanying the work of internal organs. It consists of a “head” that is applied to the body, tubes that conduct sound, and tips that are inserted into the ears.

Measurement procedure:

1. A cuff is placed on the shoulder, 2 cm above the elbow.
2. The pulse is determined at the radial artery at the wrist.
3. Air is quickly inflated into the cuff. After the pulse disappears, the cuff is inflated by another 30–40 mm Hg. Art.
4. The head of a phonendoscope is placed along the lower edge of the cuff in the elbow bend, slightly inward from the center of the ulnar fossa.
5. The air from the cuff is slowly released at a speed of 2-3 mmHg. Art. in 1 s. In this case, the instrument scale is constantly under control. The scale value at which the first sound appears is considered the systolic pressure value, and the value at which it disappears is considered the diastolic pressure value.
6. When the pulse wave beats become inaudible, the air from the cuff is quickly released.

Measuring blood pressure with an electronic tonometer for a specific device may have its own subtleties and is described in detail in the operating instructions.

Why can pressure “jump”?

There are actually many reasons for high blood pressure, but here is a list of the most common:

1. The heart does not work as before, its strength is reduced.
2. The quality of the blood has changed. The older a person is, the thicker his blood is, which makes it difficult for it to pass through the vessels. Blood thickening can be caused, for example, by diabetes or autoimmune diseases.
3. The vessels have become less elastic. Possible causes are poor diet, excessive exercise, and taking certain medications.
4. Atherosclerotic plaques due to increased levels of “bad” cholesterol.
5. A sharp narrowing of blood vessels due to hormonal imbalance.
6. Malfunctions of the endocrine system.
7. Hereditary factor.

In most cases, high blood pressure can be stabilized on your own by starting to eat right, eliminating bad habits and stress, and starting to move more. This will allow you to stay healthy for as long as possible and avoid the dangerous complications of hypertension (stroke, heart attack).

If lifestyle changes do not affect the situation, the doctor prescribes antihypertensive drugs that must be taken on an ongoing basis so that the blood pressure remains normal.

Monitoring and correction of blood pressure

Optimal and normal blood pressure does not require constant monitoring. For people with such blood pressure indicators, it is enough to measure it periodically, during routine medical examinations, medical examinations, and visits to the doctor for other reasons.

High normal blood pressure (HNBP) is not an independent disease or risk factor, but is considered as a condition in which early primary prevention of arterial hypertension and associated complications is possible. The maximum predisposition to high normal blood pressure is found in men aged 40 to 59 years with a high body mass index. They are advised to control blood pressure somewhat more often than standard recommendations, get rid of bad habits, and normalize weight.

Arterial hypertension of the 1st degree is often asymptomatic and remains undetected for a long time. If its signs are accidentally detected, for example, during a routine examination, the patient is recommended to undergo 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in order to exclude the “white coat” syndrome – increased blood pressure due to anxiety and fear of doctors. When the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient needs regular observation by a local doctor and periodic self-measurement of blood pressure. Arterial hypertension of the 1st degree does not always require pharmacological therapy. Often, lifestyle adjustments help stabilize blood pressure: proper nutrition and normalization of weight, giving up bad habits, moderate physical activity, and lack of stress.

In case of arterial hypertension of 2 and 3 degrees, isolated systolic hypertension, constant (most often daily) independent monitoring of blood pressure is required. To correct these conditions, in addition to lifestyle changes, drug therapy is required, which is carried out only as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor.

How to choose blood pressure pills

IMPORTANT!

If you have hypertension, you should never self-medicate. Only a doctor can prescribe blood pressure pills, because all drugs have different principles of action, certain contraindications and side effects. And it’s far from a fact that the pills prescribed to your neighbor can be taken by you too.

When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account a lot of nuances: the patient’s age, the presence of kidney or hormonal problems, diabetes, excess weight, high cholesterol, vascular condition, etc.

The following groups of drugs are used to reduce blood pressure:

1. Beta blockers.
   These blood pressure medications lower it by reducing the heart rate. When the heart works slower, it pumps less blood, which means the force of its pressure on the blood vessels decreases. Side effects: bradycardia (expressed as general weakness), skin rashes.
2. Diuretics (diuretics).
   Such drugs remove excess water from the body, which reduces blood pressure. Side effects: decreased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, numbness of fingers, goosebumps, convulsions.
3. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
   With hypertension, the body produces an excess amount of the hormone angiotensin - it spasms blood vessels, causing fluid retention and a surge in pressure. Similar drugs reduce the synthesis of this hormone (spasm decreases, pressure decreases). Side effects: allergic reactions, coughing attacks.
4. Angiotensin antagonists.
   Such blood pressure medications also affect the hormone angiotensin, binding to its receptors and inhibiting activity. Side effects: decreased vascular tone, dizziness, nausea, sharp decrease in blood pressure.
5. Calcium antagonists.
   Calcium ions are responsible for the tone of arterial vessels. Such drugs relax the vascular walls, thereby reducing blood pressure. Side effects: rapid heartbeat, dizziness.

Often, not one drug, but several (from different groups) is used to treat hypertension. The dosage of blood pressure tablets is selected individually. This usually takes three to six months until the perfect combination is achieved.

In some cases, basic therapy is supplemented with emergency medications when a person experiences a hypertensive crisis and needs to quickly stabilize blood pressure. Here, too, it is important to choose the right dose.

For high blood pressure, several drugs from different groups are often prescribed

Photos from open sources

Read also: Top 10 best blood thinners Blood thinners

Veroshpiron

A drug from the group of diuretics,

Sold by prescription, you can buy Veroshpiron in tablets or capsules.
This is a potassium-sparing drug, so when you take it, potassium, a mineral essential for the heart, is not “washed out” from the body. "Veroshpiron" blocks the production of the adrenal hormone aldosterone, which retains fluid in the body. "Veroshpiron" is prescribed for hypertension (in combination with other drugs), edema, diseases of the adrenal glands, kidneys or liver. Contraindications:
elevated levels of calcium, potassium or sodium in the blood. Prescribe with caution for heart problems, kidney failure, and Addison's disease.

Veroshpiron

Gedeon Richter, Hungary

The drug Veroshpiron is a potassium-sparing diuretic.
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Verapamil

A drug from the group of calcium antagonists,

Sold by prescription in the form of tablets and solution for injection.
Verapamil is prescribed for hypertension, for the prevention and treatment of angina pectoris and supraventricular arrhythmias. These blood pressure pills reduce the oxygen demand of the heart muscle, reducing the number of myocardial contractions. The coronary vessels of the heart dilate - blood flow improves. Verapamil has an impressive list of contraindications,
so only a doctor can prescribe this drug. These tablets are prescribed with caution to people after a heart attack, with kidney disease, or left ventricular failure.

Verapamil

Alkaloid, Macedonia

Treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease: chronic stable angina (angina pectoris), unstable angina, vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal angina/variant angina).
Treatment and prevention of heart rhythm disturbances: paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, chronic form of atrial flutter and fibrillation (tachyarrhythmic variant), supraventricular extrasystole. Arterial hypertension. Hypertensive crisis. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. from 30

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Captopril

Blood pressure medication from the group of ACE inhibitors,

Sold by prescription in tablet form.
"Captopril" ("Capoten") reduces the production of angiotensin, which eliminates vascular spasm, reduces the load on the heart, thereby lowering blood pressure. Captopril is prescribed for hypertension (including kidney problems), chronic heart failure, conditions after a heart attack, nephropathy due to diabetes mellitus. with caution
if the patient has damaged renal vessels, is taking medications to lower blood sugar, has autoimmune diseases and has high potassium levels.

Captopril

OZON, Russia

Arterial hypertension (including renovascular), chronic heart failure (as part of combination therapy), left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction in patients in a clinically stable condition.
Diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus (with albuminuria more than 30 mg/day). from 8

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Danger to organs and body systems

• Heart. Due to the increased load, the walls of the myocardium begin to grow, especially the left ventricle, which works to eject blood. With tissue hypertrophy, nutritional deficiency begins, wear accelerates, and elasticity decreases. As a result, arrhythmia, bradycardia, ischemia, and heart attack may develop.
• Vessels. Constant tension makes blood vessels fragile, deforms them, and leads to ruptures. Hypertension increases atherosclerotic deposits, up to complete blockage. First of all, the capillaries that provide nutrition to the internal organs, eyes, and limbs are affected.
• Brain. Insufficient brain nutrition in hypertension leads to cognitive impairment. The most common cause of strokes is hypertension.
• Kidneys. Lack of blood circulation leads to the accumulation of toxins. The kidneys cannot cope with excretion in full; they do not have enough nutrients to recover. This leads to the development of kidney failure and further worsens the condition of blood vessels, as harmful compounds remain in the blood.
• Eyes. Hypertension can cause damage to the optic nerve, and in the most severe cases, blindness occurs.

Bisoprolol

A drug from the group of beta blockers,

which is sold by prescription and comes in tablet form.
Bisoprolol reduces the number of heart contractions and the need for oxygen in the heart muscle. These blood pressure pills reduce the likelihood of developing arrhythmias and angina. Bisoprolol is prescribed for hypertension, for the treatment of coronary heart disease, the drug reduces the risk of heart disease. Contraindications:
chronic and acute heart failure, heart block, bronchial asthma, bradycardia (pulse below 55-60 beats per minute), Bisoprolol is prescribed with caution if the patient is taking diuretics (diuretics).

Bisoprolol

Biocom, Russia

Arterial hypertension.
Coronary heart disease: prevention of attacks of stable angina. from 15

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Prevention of hypertension

Prevention of hypertension is not specific. To reduce the risk of developing the disease, it is recommended to adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle:

• Stop smoking and do not abuse alcohol. Alcohol and nicotine destroy blood vessels.
• Normalize weight. Obesity itself can cause hypertension. In some patients, weight loss restores normotension without medication.
• Do physical education. Cardio exercise of at least 150 minutes per week and walking are especially effective for strengthening the cardiovascular system.
• Balance your diet in terms of calories and composition. It is necessary to consume fiber daily and reduce animal fats and salt in food.
• Monitor your drinking regime. Insufficient water leads to blood thickening and retention of toxins. The norm for an adult is 2 liters per day.

If possible, it is better to avoid stress and overexertion, get enough sleep and spend time outdoors.

Losartan

Tablets for blood pressure from the group of angiotensin receptor blockers.

Losartan is used to lower blood pressure with concomitant pathologies (for example, diabetes or heart failure).
The drug reduces the load on the heart, helping it receive enough oxygen. Losartan is prescribed for hypertension, to reduce the risk of mortality in case of left ventricular hypertrophy, to reduce the load on the kidneys in diabetes mellitus, and to treat chronic heart failure when other drugs do not give the desired effect. Contraindications:
these blood pressure pills should not be taken while being treated with ACE inhibitors (especially if you have kidney disease), while being treated with drugs to lower blood sugar levels, or if you are lactose intolerant.

Losartan

JSC VERTEX, Russia

Arterial hypertension.
Reducing the risk of associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, manifested by a combined reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular mortality, stroke and myocardial infarction. Protection of the kidneys in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with proteinuria - slowing the progression of renal failure, manifested by a decrease in the incidence of hypercreatininemia, the incidence of end-stage renal failure requiring hemodialysis or kidney transplantation, mortality rates, as well as a decrease in proteinuria. Chronic heart failure (as part of combination therapy, with intolerance or ineffectiveness of therapy with ACE inhibitors). from 30

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At-risk groups

All elderly people are at risk of developing hypertension due to the natural aging of blood vessels and the heart. At an earlier age, the likelihood of high blood pressure is higher if:

• Diseases of the kidneys and blood vessels.
• Congenital heart defects.
• Obesity.
• Alcohol abuse, smoking.
• Frequent stress, disruption of work and rest schedules.
• Systematic intoxication with harmful substances.
• Eating foods high in cholesterol and salt.
• Diseases of the endocrine system.

People who have had head injuries or heart and brain surgery should also monitor their blood pressure.