As people get older, taking care of their blood pressure becomes more important—but also more complicated. Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It’s one of the key signs of how healthy your heart and blood vessels are.
If your blood pressure is too high, it can increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. But if it’s too low, it can lead to problems like dizziness, fainting, or even falling down. That’s why doctors have spent years studying the best blood pressure levels for people over 60.
For many years, the general advice was to keep the top number of your blood pressure—called the systolic pressure—below 140. The systolic number shows how much pressure your blood makes when your heart beats.
But new research has made doctors think twice about this number. One of the biggest and most important studies on this topic is called the SPRINT study, short for Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial.
In the SPRINT study, researchers looked at thousands of people who were at high risk for heart problems but didn’t have diabetes. They wanted to see if aiming for a lower systolic number—below 120—would be better than just keeping it under 140.
What they found was surprising. People who kept their systolic pressure below 120 had fewer heart attacks, strokes, and even fewer deaths from these conditions. This made some health experts wonder if everyone over 60 should aim for this lower number.
But it’s not that simple. Lower blood pressure isn’t always better, especially for older people. Bringing blood pressure down too much can cause side effects. For example, some people may feel weak or dizzy, have problems with their kidneys, or even fall and hurt themselves. These risks can sometimes outweigh the benefits of having a lower blood pressure.
Because of this, most doctors today don’t suggest one single blood pressure number for all older adults. Instead, they look at each person’s health situation.
In general, many experts agree that keeping the systolic pressure somewhere between 120 and 130 is a good goal for most people over 60. This range seems to lower the chances of serious heart problems while avoiding many of the side effects that can come with very low blood pressure.
However, this number can change depending on your personal health. For example, if someone has kidney disease, diabetes, or other health issues, they might need a different goal. That’s why doctors often talk about “individualized care,” which means creating a treatment plan that fits one person’s specific needs instead of using the same plan for everyone.
If you or someone you care about is over 60, this means it’s very important to have regular check-ups and talk with a doctor about what blood pressure goal is right.
Medicine, lifestyle changes like eating less salt and getting more exercise, and monitoring blood pressure at home can all help. But decisions about treatment should always be based on a full picture of a person’s health—not just a number on a screen.
In short, the best blood pressure target for older adults depends on the person. Thanks to research like the SPRINT study, we know that lower numbers can help—but only if they’re safe for that person.
Managing blood pressure well in your 60s and beyond isn’t just about following strict rules. It’s about understanding your body, working with your doctor, and finding a balance that helps you stay healthy and active.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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