What is Normal Blood Pressure?

It seems like something that should be easily answered, what is normal blood pressure – but the answer isn’t actually as straightforward as you might expect. The truth is that the answer depends on who is asking the question. The normal blood pressure readings for a healthy adult can range from 90/60mmHg up to 140/90mmHg, but the ideal reading for an individual varies depending on age and activity level.

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. It’s composed of two numbers, an upper number (systolic) and a lower number (diastolic). You’ll often see it listed as a fraction like 120/80 mmHg (which is read as “120 over 80 millimeters of mercury”). The top number is your systolic reading, which measures the pressure when the heart contracts. The bottom number is your diastolic reading and it measures the pressure when the heart relaxes.

Normal Blood Pressure Readings For Adults

Generally speaking, the ideal blood pressure for a healthy adult is around 120/80mmHg. Anything lower than 90/60mmHg is considered hypotension (low blood pressure) and anything higher than 140/90mmHg is considered hypertension (high blood pressure). A single high reading doesn’t necessarily mean you have high blood pressure, however. You may have occasional spikes due to stress or activity. It’s important to track your readings over a period of time to determine whether you have a consistent problem or if it’s just a rare spike.

Changes With Age and Activity Level

It’s important to note that normal blood pressure varies with age, activity level, and even the time of day. For instance, a teenager may have higher readings than an adult due to changes in the body. Also, if you’ve just gotten up from a nap or exercised, your readings might be higher than usual. Finally, if you’re considered to be at an ideal body weight, then your readings may be lower than someone who is obese.

Overall, it’s important to understand what is considered normal blood pressure for both you as an individual and for the age group and activity level that you’re in. Regularly taking blood pressure readings can help you identify any potential problems before they become serious. Be sure to discuss any readings that are outside your normal range with your doctor.