High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

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Basic Facts

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, becomes more common as people age. This is because blood vessels often get stiff over time. The heart has to work harder to push blood through stiff vessels. This puts more pressure on artery walls and weakens them. If not treated, high blood pressure can damage the heart, kidneys, and brain.

High blood pressure is easy to find and control for most people. That is why checking blood pressure often is so important. Finding and treating it early can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, memory problems, kidney disease, eye disease, and other serious health problems.

Groups at Higher Risk

Some groups have a higher chance of getting hypertension. These include people with a family history of it, older adults, and Black adults.

  • More than 70 percent of people aged 60 and older have high blood pressure. About half of them have it under control. For people aged 75 and older, 86 percent of women and 73 percent of men have high blood pressure.
  • Black adults have higher rates of high blood pressure than any other racial or ethnic group.

Blood Pressure Measurement

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. For example, a reading of 130 over 90 is written as 130/90 mm Hg.

  • The first number is the systolic pressure. It measures the pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood.
  • The second number is the diastolic pressure. It measures the pressure when your heart rests between beats.

Blood Pressure Categories

Blood pressure goals depend on your age and health. For most healthy older adults, the systolic goal is 130 mmHg or lower.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. The stages of high blood pressure are:

  • Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80;
  • Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89;
  • Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
  • Severe Hypertension: Systolic over 180 and/or diastolic over 120. If there is no organ damage, a quick change in medication may be needed. If there are signs of organ damage, the person must go to the hospital.

Blood Pressure Goal

A person with high blood pressure and their healthcare provider should work together to set a blood pressure goal. For example:

  • Older adults with heart disease or some blood flow problems may do better with a lower systolic goal of 120 mmHg or less. This does not raise the risk of falls.
  • Frail adults, including people in long-term care facilities, should not have their blood pressure lowered too much. This can cause falls and fainting.

Health Problems Caused or Worsened by High Blood Pressure

  • Peripheral edema, which is a buildup of fluid, usually in the ankles, feet, lower legs, hands, and arms. It can happen because of heart failure or some blood pressure medicines.
  • Pulmonary edema, which happens when fluid builds up in the lungs due to high blood pressure. This makes it hard to breathe.
  • Vascular ulcers, which are skin sores that appear on the feet, lower legs, or calves. They may take a long time to heal and can come back often.
  • Heart failure, which is the main cause of serious illness and death linked to high blood pressure. In older adults, about 70 percent of all heart failure cases are caused by high blood pressure.
  • Stroke, which happens when blood flow to or in the brain is cut off. This damages the brain.
  • Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), sometimes called "mini-strokes." These happen when blood flow to part of the brain is briefly blocked.
  • Dementia, which is a loss of brain function. It can cause memory loss, confusion, mood changes, and trouble doing daily tasks. Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia in older adults after Alzheimer's disease. About half of all vascular dementia cases are linked to high blood pressure.
  • Kidney problems, which can happen when high blood pressure puts extra stress on the blood vessels in your kidneys.
  • Chronic anxiety and anxiety medicines can also raise blood pressure.

 

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers 

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