No, High Blood Pressure Isn't a Normal Part of Aging

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects about 45% of American adults. If you’re one of them, you might assume that, like graying hair and wrinkles, it’s a side effect of getting older. But a growing body of evidence suggests that isn’t the case.

Because May is Hypertension Awareness Month, Shaghayegh “Sherri” Tavassoli, DO, at Beverly Hills Medical Institute, is taking the time to explain the link between age and high blood pressure. 

This article defines hypertension, explains why this myth exists, and outlines why it’s important to keep your blood pressure in check.

Understanding high blood pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It’s recorded with two numbers, is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg), and looks like this: 119/79 mm Hg.

Healthy blood pressure is generally less than 120/80, according to the American Heart Association. Any number higher than that, like 130/80, for example, is considered elevated and could indicate hypertension.

Everyone’s blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, so a one-off reading isn’t necessarily cause for concern. The problem is that high blood pressure rarely presents symptoms, and it increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. 

Because of these risks, routine monitoring is important, so you can keep your blood pressure within a healthy range.

Why people think aging naturally causes high blood pressure

It’s true that aging affects your body in many different ways. Your metabolism slows down, you lose muscle mass, and your veins and arteries become stiffer. Even so, these changes don’t necessarily mean you’re going to develop high blood pressure.

The confusion comes from the fact that high blood pressure is common in older adults, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or inevitable. 

Age-related changes, genetics, and certain medications can certainly increase your risk, but there’s plenty you can do to prevent it from worsening and protect your heart.

Potential health risks of ignoring high blood pressure

Since high blood pressure rarely presents symptoms, you might not think about it. As long as you feel good, you don’t worry about it. But high blood pressure often worsens without treatment, increasing your risk of health problems like:

• Heart disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Vision loss

Monitoring your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitor can help provide peace of mind, but at Beverly Hills Medical Institute, we also recommend annual checkups.

Tips for managing high blood pressure

Once you have high blood pressure, there’s no way to completely reverse it. But you can take steps to keep it from spiking and support your heart health. Some of the best ways to do that are:

• Eating a balanced diet featuring fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats
• Exercising at least 30 minutes most days of the week
• Reducing sodium (salt)
• Lowering alcohol consumption
• Following a sleep routine
• Managing stress

Together, these factors can help keep your heart healthy. But if your blood pressure remains high even after making these changes, Dr. Tavassoli can prescribe medications to help. 

Some of the most common blood pressure medications include diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

We can help keep your blood pressure in check

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure or have a family history of the condition, it’s important to get screened as soon as possible. Our team can also support your long-term heart health through chronic disease management.

To get started,  call our office in Beverly Hills, California, serving the greater Los Angeles area, or book your appointment online. Telehealth appointments are also available.