Is A BP Reading Of 165/71 Normal For A 78 Year Old Person?

Posted on Wed, 9 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Sep 2015 Answered on

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : my mum had her blood pressure checked today .although they said it was fine slightly up .the reading was 165/71.is this ok or is this normal.my mum is 78

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Needs foloow up and treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Her systolic pressure is high

The range for the upper figure (Systolic) is 90 to 140 mm Hg.
The range for the lower figure (Diastolic) is 60 to 90 mm Hg.

Check it again… on 2 to 3 occasions
Start treatment, if still high….
The aim is to prevent long-term complications.
See her doctor.
She needs follow up.

Good luck
God bless you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (2 hours later)

but she is not considered to have high blood prssure.the nurse seems to be only worried if the bottom number is high which in my mums case is not.why could the top number be high

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Both numbers are important

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Both the ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ number are important / and need to be addressed
It is a definite risk factor
It is not emergency, but it MUST be treated
The aim is to prevent / postpone stroke, heart attack etc.
Generally a small dose of ACEI or ARB / or a diuretic is started in such situations
The common cause of the systolic rise is stiffening of arteries; of course, there are several other causes…
Consult a CARDIOLOGIST

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (33 minutes later)

she was after seeing a cardiologist and he didn't seem even mention the blood pressure results,he felt she is in very good health

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have another opinion

Detailed Answer:
Hi

In my practice for nearly five decades, I always treat such levels –
It is my opinion that no treatable cause should be left as such, if it may lead to later complications
I shall suggest to have another opinion before ignoring it

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (12 hours later)

my mums top number of her bp reading is not always high.she does eat a well balanced diet,is not over weight,doen't smoke and never drank alcohol.could stress cause it to go up and down

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Her life style is commendable and is conducive for good health
The values always vary – no biological value is/should be constant… Physical/psychological strain, time of the day and so on… Stress does a definite role

Certain conditions like sudden outpouring of hormones can cause episodic rise – Pheochromocytoma is one typical example. If the fluctuations are wide, 24 to 48 hours ambulatory monitoring of the pressure is done to document the pressure and/or heart rate…

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar