If you experience sudden chest pain, severe headache, confusion, or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately as these can be signs of dangerously high blood pressure.
Understanding Blood Pressure: Why It Matters More with Age
Blood pressure is not just a routine number recorded during checkups—it is a critical measure of your heart and vascular health. Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, especially as you get older. Recognizing what constitutes normal blood pressure for your specific age helps you and your healthcare provider make informed decisions to prevent these serious conditions.
Decoding Your Blood Pressure Numbers
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers: systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number). The systolic pressure measures the force exerted when your heart beats, while the diastolic reflects pressure when your heart rests between beats. While a standard benchmark of 120/80
