Does Blood Pressure Increase With Age?

Whether or not you have high blood pressure now, it's important to have it checked regularly as you age

Your chances for developing high blood pressure increase with aging. Middle-aged Americans today face a 90 percent chance of developing high blood pressure during their lives. More than half of people 60 and older have high blood pressure right now.

The abuses that your body endures, like not exercising or eating right, increase your risk for high blood pressure. Your body can put up with abuse and neglect for only so long before problems, such as hardened arteries, happen.

Because your blood vessels are stiff and hard, your heart has to pump extra hard to get blood to your body. Blood vessels have trouble stretching to cope with this increased blood flow. Your heart may be beating faster than it should. The pressure on the artery walls builds, which can lead to high blood pressure.

Your blood pressure should be less than 120/80. Blood pressure that stays between 120 to 139/80 to 89 is considered prehypertension. This means you are at risk for developing high blood pressure. You are considered to have high blood pressure if your readings are 140/90 or higher.

Your doctor will probably take several readings over several months in order to diagnose you. When this is the case, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan - medications and lifestyle changes.

Do not ignore your high blood pressure and do not ignore your risks for it. High blood pressure usually doesn't have symptoms. You may feel fine, but damage is being done and you are still at risk for heart attack and stroke. Your age makes no difference in how your doctor will treat your high blood pressure. Controlling it is important at any age.

Your doctor can tell you how often you should have your blood pressure checked.

Here are some ways to prevent and control high blood pressure:

• Control your weight. Ask your doctor about losing weight and how to do it safely.
• Exercise every day. This can help lower your risk for heart disease. Aim for 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Talk with your doctor before starting a program.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Be sure that your diet has plenty of potassium.
• Cut down on salt.

Related Articles High Blood Pressure and Aging Hypertension A Quick and Realistic Look at High Blood Pressure

External Sources National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Aging changes in the heart and blood vessels. Accessed January 19, 2006. American Heart Association. High Blood Pressure. Accessed January 19, 2006. National Institute on Aging. High Blood Pressure. Accessed January 19, 2006.

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