Blood pressure is the pressure of the circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, which carry oxygenated blood to other parts of the body. Blood pressure is an important measurement that health professionals monitor, especially if a history of heart disease or hypertension exists in a patient group.
Normal Blood Pressure
The standard normal blood pressure for humans is 120/80, and medical specialists express the measurement in millimeters mercury (mmHg). Systolic pressure -- the top and higher number in a blood pressure reading -- is the pressure of blood in the artery when the heart contracts. Diastolic pressure -- the bottom and lower number in a blood pressure reading -- refers to the pressure of blood in the artery when the hearts relaxes between beats. A reading that goes beyond 120/80 is considered high, and physicians refer to it as hypertension.
Elderly Blood Pressure
The average blood pressure for the elderly hovers around 140/90, assuming the individual has no medical condition. The blood pressure reading increases with age because the arteries become stiffer, preventing the blood from flowing freely. For physicians, the question of high blood pressure in the elderly population is an important one and, as such, requires substantial investments in research. A high blood pressure reading is considered a silent killer. To detect hypertension early on, keep track of blood pressure readings when visiting your physician or use a home blood pressure monitor. Regular, moderate exercise can often be a drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure over time.
Exercise and Elderly
In a study conducted in the Utah South Western Medical Center in April 2011, researchers found that people with a high blood pressure experience an excessively high elevation in blood pressure during exercise -- a phenomenon called exercise hypertension. Health professionals consider systolic values during exercise are normal if they range from 200 to 230 mm Hg. To maintain healthful levels of systolic and diastolic pressure, elderly people should perform low to moderate exercises, including walking and swimming.
Exercise and Illnesses
Exercise hypertension -- the condition in which the blood pressure sharply rises during exercise -- could indicate that a person is at risk for developing hypertension at rest. Even though exercising is safe for the elderly and people with chronic diseases, you should consult your physician before starting a program. This is especially true if you've been inactive for a long time. Regular exercise helps improve these chronic conditions.
