Knowing and understanding your blood pressure is important, especially as you come to a certain age, or if you have some health issues that may result in a higher than usual level. You can monitor this progression by following a blood pressure chart by age. This documentation, which can be found online or through your doctor’s office, will provide you with information as to the normal range you should be achieving, as well as whether or not you are at risk, currently.
Importance Of The Chart:
While your doctor will most likely inform you after a checkup that your blood pressure is too high or too low, the blood pressure chart by age is crucial in home checks when your doctor isn’t around to give you this data. Most pharmacies now carry tools which allow you to read your blood pressure on your own, but this will not be of any good to you if you don’t know what is considered normal for you.
The chart can be a life saver if used correctly because it can offer you insight on your current health and give you the opportunity to change this. In many cases your doctor will be able to lower your pressure by suggesting improvements in your life, such as better sleep, more exercise, or healthier eating. If those don’t work, or your blood pressure is dangerously high, the doctor can prescribe some medication.
Reading The Chart:
Following a blood pressure chart by age is simple, as everything is laid out quite plainly. The chart includes a clear outline on what is considered a normal range, whether you are a child, teen, young adult, older adult, or senior. For a healthy adult, the number should read close to 120/80, with prehypertension beginning at 139/89. After this, the stages of hypertension heighten and advice changes from simply adopting a healthy lifestyle to contacting your doctor for medical assistance. For those who are 60 and over, the number for healthy blood pressure is closer to 140/90, while children 3 to 5 can vary anywhere from 103/63 to 116/74, with boys and girls different as well. From 6 to 9, these numbers change again, with normal ranges being around 109/72 to 121/81.
As you grow and your body changes from childhood through adolescence, so will the expectations of your blood pressure. This will change again during big life events such as pregnancy, or following a surgery or injury. Your doctor can help you determine whether your blood pressure varying from the chart is part of certain circumstances or an unhealthy lifestyle and assist you with getting back on the path to a normal level.
High blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke, metabolic syndrome, heart failure, or an aneurysm, among other issues. By monitoring your level, you can avoid complications such as those previously mentioned for you and your family. It is a good idea to check your blood pressure once a year or more often if you have been diagnosed of being at risk of heart disease, or have had high blood pressure in the past.
