Although doctors define high blood pressure as a blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg, we know that if you are otherwise healthy and not on blood pressure medications, the lower your blood pressure the better off you are, and the longer your life expectancy. Blood pressure is very variable, and is influenced greatly by activity, foods, and medications. Although there are no absolute rules for what constitutes a normal blood pressure, 120/80 mm Hg is considered desirable for adults without hypertension. For individuals with hypertension, a desirable blood pressure on treatment is 135-140/82-86 mm Hg. Blood pressure does not necessarily go up as we get older. Hypertension (defined as blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg) is more common in older individuals, and isolated systolic hypertension (elevated 'top number', with normal diastolic, or 'bottom number') is especially more common in the elderly.
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