What is normal blood pressure?
Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure created as the heart pumps blood through the veins and arteries of the body, and normal blood pressure is the reading which most healthy adults have when their blood pressure is tested. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be very dangerous, as can hypotension, low blood pressure. The normal value for healthy young adults is around 120/80, while children tend to have slightly lower blood pressure, and older people have blood pressure which may be slightly higher. If your blood pressure exceeds 140/90, you will probably be asked to consider treating it, first with dietary changes and possibly with medication as well. The goal for healthy people is to achieve and maintain normal blood pressure. The two values in a blood pressure measurement are the systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the high point, the moment when the heart contracts to push blood throughout the body.
People are often curious about what normal blood pressure is. Though many people consider ideal blood pressure to be an average reading of 120/80 or below, in reality, normal blood pressure is not one set number. Factors such as family history can affect a person’s blood pressure range. Your average blood pressure can only be determined when multiple readings are taken over at least three days.
What is Normal Blood Pressure? Answer: For a long time, normal blood pressure was defined as 120/80 (systolic / diastolic). Recently, the American Heart Association changed the definition of normal blood pressure to Less than 120 / Less than 80. This redefinition was enacted because of ongoing research examining the long term health effects of different blood pressures. Along with redefining the normal value, the new American Heart Association guidelines changed the cutoff values for the different stages of high blood pressure. Again, these changes were also based on new research which more clearly shows the increasing risk of heart attack and other illness as the blood pressure rises. Continue Reading:
Related Questions
- Do ASHI training programs follow the 2005 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care?
- American Heart Association Frequently Asked Questions related to High Blood Preesure Q-What is normal blood pressure?
- What is normal blood pressure?
