What Is a Normal Blood Pressure at Each Age?
There isn’t a separate “normal” blood-pressure number for every adult age. For most adults, the same general thresholds are used regardless of whether you’re 25, 45, or 75. Blood pressure also varies with activity, stress, medications, and health conditions.
Adults
| Blood pressure | Systolic (top) | Diastolic (bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | <120 | <80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | <80 |
| High — Stage 1 | 130–139 | 80–89 |
| High — Stage 2 | ≥140 | ≥90 |
| Severe hypertension | ≥180 | and/or ≥120 |
These categories are based on American Heart Association guidance.
Example: A reading of 118/76 mmHg is in the normal range. A reading of 135/85 is above the normal range, even though it may not require the same treatment for everyone.
What about older adults?
Blood pressure often tends to increase with age because arteries become less elastic, but “higher because you’re older” doesn’t automatically make a high reading normal. Treatment targets should be individualized, particularly for older adults and people with other medical conditions.
Children are different
Children don’t use the adult table. Normal blood pressure in children depends on age, sex, and height, so pediatric blood pressure should be interpreted using age- and size-specific charts.
🚨 When is blood pressure an emergency?
If your reading is 180/120 mmHg or higher, wait at least 1 minute and measure again. If it remains that high, contact a healthcare professional promptly. If it is that high and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness/numbness, vision changes, difficulty speaking, or other concerning symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
If you tell me your age and your blood-pressure reading (for example, 145/90), I can explain what that particular reading means.
