Does BP Go Up With Age? 2025 Predictions
Blood pressure (BP) normally increases with age. The American Heart Association (AHA) considers high blood pressure (hypertension) to be 130/80 mm Hg or higher. About 45% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. By the age of 80, about 65% to 90% of people have high blood pressure.
Several factors contribute to the age-related increase in BP:
1. Arterial Stiffness: As we age, our arteries become stiffer and less elastic. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through the body, which can lead to an increase in BP.
2. Decreased Baroreceptor Sensitivity: Baroreceptors are nerve cells that sense changes in BP. As we age, our baroreceptors become less sensitive, which can lead to an increase in BP.
3. Increased Sympathetic Nervous System Activity: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for our “fight or flight” response. As we age, our sympathetic nervous system becomes more active, which can lead to an increase in BP.
4. Kidney Function: The kidneys play an important role in regulating BP. As we age, our kidneys become less efficient at filtering waste products from the blood, which can lead to an increase in BP.
High BP can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs. It is a major risk factor for:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Eye damage
- Dementia
There are several things you can do to manage your BP as you age:
1. Get Regular Exercise: Exercise helps to lower BP by strengthening the heart and improving blood flow. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet: A healthy diet for high BP includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is also low in sodium and saturated fat.
3. Reduce Sodium Intake: Too much sodium can raise BP. Aim for no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
4. Lose Weight if You Are Overweight or Obese: Excess weight puts extra strain on your heart and can lead to high BP.
5. Quit Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and can lead to high BP.
6. Manage Stress: Stress can raise BP. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
7. Take Medication if Needed: If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your BP, your doctor may prescribe medication.
The AHA predicts that by 2025, about 47% of adults in the United States will have high blood pressure. This is up from 45% in 2017.
The AHA also predicts that the number of adults with high blood pressure will increase by more than 10 million by 2025.
BP normally increases with age. This is due to a number of factors, including arterial stiffness, decreased baroreceptor sensitivity, increased sympathetic nervous system activity, and kidney function. High BP can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs. It is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, eye damage, and dementia. There are several things you can do to manage your BP as you age, including getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, reducing sodium intake, losing weight if you are overweight or obese, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking medication if needed.
