What is the normal BP range by age? A comprehensive guide

September 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have hypertension. Understanding what is the normal BP range by age is essential for monitoring your heart health and preventing serious conditions like stroke and heart disease.

Quick Summary

A normal blood pressure for adults is generally considered below 120/80 mm Hg, but ranges for children and adolescents differ significantly, with calculations based on age, sex, and height percentile. While blood pressure tends to increase naturally with age, maintaining it within a healthy range is crucial for long-term health and requires regular monitoring.

Key Points

Adult ranges are fixed: Unlike children, adult blood pressure classification is constant for everyone over 18, regardless of age.
Children's BP is percentile-based: A child's normal blood pressure range is not a single number but is determined using percentile charts based on their age, sex, and height.
Hypertension risk increases with age: Although the standards remain the same for adults, the risk of high blood pressure increases with age due to factors like artery stiffening.
Lifestyle impacts BP: Diet, exercise, weight, stress, and habits like smoking and drinking significantly influence blood pressure at all life stages.
Monitoring is critical for all ages: Regular blood pressure checks are essential for both children and adults to catch hypertension early, especially since it often has no symptoms.
Isolated systolic hypertension in older adults: Many older adults experience isolated systolic hypertension, where only the top number is high due to age-related artery stiffening.

Understanding blood pressure measurements

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it through your body. The reading consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic.

Systolic pressure (the top number) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) measures the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats, when your heart is resting.

Normal blood pressure is a key indicator of cardiovascular health. Consistent high blood pressure, or hypertension, forces your heart to work harder and can damage your arteries over time, leading to serious health issues.

Blood pressure ranges for adults

For adults aged 18 and over, blood pressure is categorized into several stages, regardless of age. While the risk of developing hypertension increases as you get older, the criteria for diagnosis remains consistent.

Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg
Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg
Hypertension Stage 2: Systolic 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher
Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic over 180 mm Hg and/or diastolic over 120 mm Hg. This requires immediate medical attention.

Blood pressure ranges for children and adolescents

Unlike adults, a child's normal blood pressure is not a fixed number but is based on their age, sex, and height percentile. This is because their bodies are still growing and changing. A pediatrician uses specialized charts to determine if a child's blood pressure is in a healthy range.

Normal: Below the 90th percentile for their age, sex, and height.
Elevated: Between the 90th and 95th percentile, or 120/80 mm Hg to less than the 95th percentile (whichever is lower).
Hypertension: Equal to or greater than the 95th percentile.

For adolescents aged 13 and older, the adult blood pressure classification system is used.

Comparison of normal blood pressure by age


Age Group	Classification	Systolic (mm Hg)	Diastolic (mm Hg)
Infants (1-12 months)	Normal	80-100	55-65
Toddlers (1-2 years)	Normal	90-105	55-70
Children (6-9 years)	Normal	95-110	60-73
Adolescents (12-15 years)	Normal	110-124	70-79
Adults (18+)	Normal	Less than 120	Less than 80

Note: Normal ranges for children are percentiles-based, and these are generalized median ranges. Consult a healthcare professional for specific guidance.

Lifestyle factors that influence blood pressure

Several lifestyle factors can significantly impact blood pressure at any age. Recognizing and managing these factors is key to maintaining healthy numbers.

Diet: High sodium and low potassium intake are major contributors to high blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps strengthen your heart and keeps blood vessels healthy. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for adults and 60 minutes daily for children and adolescents.
Weight Management: Carrying excess weight forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, which can increase blood pressure.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use: Excessive alcohol consumption and any tobacco use directly increase blood pressure and damage blood vessel walls.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can lead to temporary blood pressure spikes. Techniques like meditation, yoga, and adequate sleep are important for managing stress and reducing its impact on blood pressure.

The importance of regular monitoring

Regular blood pressure checks are vital because hypertension often has no symptoms and is known as the "silent killer". By monitoring your readings, you can detect issues early and work with a healthcare provider to manage your condition effectively. For those already diagnosed with hypertension, regular checks ensure that treatment is working as intended.

It is recommended that adults have their blood pressure checked at least every two years, or more frequently if advised by a healthcare provider. For children, routine physicals include blood pressure screenings.

To learn more about accurately measuring blood pressure, consult resources from trusted health organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conclusion

Understanding normal blood pressure ranges across different ages is crucial for proactive health management. While the adult classification is fixed, children's normal ranges are more complex and depend on their growth. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and stress management, is essential for keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range, no matter your age. Regular monitoring, whether at home or during check-ups, empowers you to take control of your cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of future complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

For all adults aged 18 and older, a normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mm Hg. The ideal range is consistent regardless of a person's age within the adult group, though average readings may vary.

A child's blood pressure naturally changes as they grow. The use of percentile charts based on age, sex, and height allows pediatricians to account for these growth differences and accurately determine if a child's reading is healthy for their specific body size and developmental stage.

Yes, while high blood pressure is more commonly discussed, abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension) can also be a medical concern at any age. Symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting may indicate hypotension, which should be evaluated by a doctor.

The American Heart Association recommends adults get their blood pressure checked at least every two years. However, if you have risk factors for hypertension or are already being treated for it, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring.

It is common for blood pressure to rise with age as arteries become stiffer, but that does not make high blood pressure normal or acceptable. Healthcare providers still use the same guidelines to manage and treat high blood pressure, regardless of a person's age.

For adults, a properly calibrated and correctly used home monitor can be accurate. However, home blood pressure cuffs and wrist monitors are not recommended for children due to the need for specialized, validated equipment and trained interpretation.

Isolated systolic hypertension is a type of high blood pressure most common in older adults, where the systolic pressure (the top number) is high (130 mm Hg or more) but the diastolic pressure (the bottom number) remains normal (less than 80 mm Hg).