The common mistake is thinking there is a different “normal” blood-pressure number for every adult age group. Current adult guidelines don’t define normal BP as, for example, “120/80 at 60, 130/80 at 70, 140/90 at 80.” The same adult categories are generally used across adulthood, including older age.
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professional.heart.org
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Adult blood-pressure categories
Reading Category
Below 120/80 mmHg Normal
120–129 and below 80 Elevated
130–139 or 80–89 Stage 1 hypertension
140+ or 90+ Stage 2 hypertension
Over 180 and/or 120 Severe hypertension
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professional.heart.org
So a 70-year-old does not automatically have a “normal” BP of 140/90 just because they’re older. In the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline, the overarching treatment goal for most adults is below 130/80 mmHg, although treatment targets can need individualization for certain older or medically complex people.
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professional.heart.org
One reading also isn’t enough to diagnose hypertension. BP should be measured correctly and interpreted using repeated readings and the person’s overall health.
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www.heart.org
For children and teenagers, it’s different: normal BP is interpreted using age, sex, and height rather than the adult chart.
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