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High blood pressure is another term for hypertension. It occurs when the pressure of blood pushing against your artery walls is too high. It causes your heart to work much harder at pumping blood than it should.

Feb. 3, 2025

By Ahmad Kamal, MD
WellMed Network of Florida
Florida

Hypertension is one of the top risk factors for heart disease. It affects nearly half of all U.S. adults and tends to become more common as we age. New data says 90% of adults 55 and older will develop hypertension in their lifetime.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to reduce your risks and stay healthy as you age.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is another term for hypertension. It occurs when the pressure of blood pushing against your artery walls is too high. It causes your heart to work much harder at pumping blood than it should. If your blood pressure is too high, your provider can talk to you about lowering it naturally.

Blood pressure is typically checked once a year during routine visits with your health care provider:

  • Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg.
  • Elevated blood pressure is when the top number is over 120 mm Hg, and the bottom number is under 80 mm Hg.
  • Stage 1 hypertension is when the top number is 130 to 139 mm Hg, or the bottom number is 80 to 89 mm Hg.
  • Stage 2 hypertension is when the top number is 140 mm Hg or higher, or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

A blood pressure reading higher than 180/120 mm Hg is a major medical emergency. You should seek immediate medical help if your blood pressure is this high.

Why is high blood pressure more common in older adults?

Our bodies change in many ways as we age, including the structure of arteries. Arteries may become stiffer, which can raise your blood pressure. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says this can happen even if you practice heart-healthy behaviors.

Many older adults develop a form of high blood pressure called isolated systolic hypertension. This is when the first, or top number is 130 or higher, but the bottom number is less than 80. It can develop when major arteries become stiff. Shortness of breath and falling are common symptoms of this form of hypertension.

Hypertension prevention

Prevention is one of the best treatments for nearly all health conditions. Practicing healthy behaviors at any age can help you avoid high blood pressure. Some of the things you can do to reduce your risk include:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight. Excess weight and obesity are risk factors for hypertension. Try to stay active and track your calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Exercising regularly. Activities like walking and swimming may help keep blood pressure in a normal range. Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
  • Eating heart-healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are some of the foods that are good for heart health. Try to eat more of these foods and cut back on foods high in sugar and fat.
  • Reducing salt intake. High amounts of salt may cause your blood pressure to rise. A good way to cut back on salt is to stop eating fast foods and processed foods. Many of these foods are high in salt.
  • Not smoking. Smoking can damage your arteries and increase your blood pressure. If you smoke, ask your provider about treatments that can help you quit.
  • Drinking less alcohol. High amounts of alcohol can narrow your arteries and raise your blood pressure. The NIH recommends no more than one drink a day if you’re female and no more than two drinks a day if you’re male.
  • Managing stress levels. High levels of stress may lead to hypertension. Stress is a normal part of life but managing it properly can help you stay healthy. Deep breathing, meditation and relaxation are some simple ways to manage stress.
  • Getting quality sleep. Lack of sleep can interfere with your blood pressure level. Try to go to bed earlier and make sure your sleeping environment is comfortable. If you have a sleep condition, your health care provider can work with you to treat it.

Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your blood pressure. Your provider may recommend other treatments, such as medications.

WellMed is dedicated to providing quality health care with a strong focus on prevention. Our lifestyle medicine doctors can help you implement healthy behaviors that can reduce your risk for chronic conditions, including hypertension. Contact WellMed today at (888) 781-WELL or visit our website to find a doctor near you.

Resources

  1. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, May 12). Estimated Hypertension Prevalence, Treatment, and Control Among U.S. Adults. https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/data-reports/hypertension-prevalence.html
  2. Oliveros, E., Patel, H., Kyung, S., Fugar, S., Goldberg, A., Madan, N., & Williams, K. A. (2020). Hypertension in older adults: Assessment, management, and challenges. Clinical Cardiology, 43(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.23303
  3. American Heart Association. (2024, May 17). Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
  4. National Institutes of Health. (2022, October 1). High Blood Pressure and Older Adults. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-and-older-adults#how
  5. National Institutes of Health. (n.d.) What are the U.S. Guidelines for Drinking? https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-too-much/what-are-us-guidelines-drinking

Dr. Ahmad Kamal received his medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He completed his residency at the State University of New York, Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Kamal is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He speaks English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

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