Taking measurements is relatively simple, but there are things to keep in mind. Measuring Standard Blood Pressure for Seniors Common symptoms of shock in the elderly include confusion, rapid and shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, and clammy skin. Moreover, extremely low blood pressure can lead to shock, a life-threatening condition requiring emergency medical assistance. Some common symptoms of low blood pressure include dizziness, fainting, dehydration, lack of concentration, clammy skin, fatigue, and shallow breathing. It’s estimated between one in ten or two in ten people over 65 experience postural hypotension, so low readings are typically nothing to worry about, provided that loved ones are not experiencing unpleasant symptoms.

For instance, low blood pressure can indicate various nutritional deficits, heart problems, endocrine system problems, severe infection, allergic reaction, and a variety of other health issues. While low blood pressure in seniors is not always something to be concerned about, it can sometimes suggest an underlying problem exists. Anti-hypertensive medications can also contribute to successfully turning around hypertension but typically need to be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes.ĭownload a Free Heart Health Guide Low Blood Pressure in Seniorsīy contrast, low blood pressure (hypotension) is demarcated at 90/60 or below. Some of the most common risk factors include smoking, stress, low physical activity, inadequate potassium, and alcohol overconsumption. But many lifestyle factors can be changed. Some risk factors can’t be avoided, including age, gender, ethnicity, and family history. Higher readings suggest increasingly dangerous hypertension the lengthy list of complications associated with high blood pressure ranges from an increased risk of heart failure to increased risk of blindness. The high blood pressure range for seniors starts at hypertension stage 1, spanning between 130-139/80-89. The ideal blood pressure for seniors is now considered 120/80 (systolic/diastolic), which is the same for younger adults. But what are the new blood pressure guidelines for seniors, and what kinds of things should you be on the lookout for when monitoring blood pressure for seniors? New Blood Pressure Standards for Seniors While new normal blood pressure for seniors is not a vast departure from the old recommendations, it is a shift that warrants observation. The latest adjustment occurred in 2017 when leading institutions like the American Heart Association altered their guidelines concerning seniors. Blood pressure guidelines aren’t something that change at regular intervals they’re only adjusted when sufficient evidence suggests change is warranted.

Senior blood pressure chart 2018