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Blood pressure chart by age: what's normal at 20, 50, and 70?
Key takeaways
- Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 for every adult — 25 or 75. The categories don't change with age.
- What changes is how common high blood pressure is: about 23% of adults 18–39, 53% at 40–59, and 72% at 60+ (CDC, 2021–2023).
- Many younger adults with high blood pressure don't know it — only about 27% of those aged 18–39 are aware.
- Children under 13 use percentiles; teens 13+ use adult numbers.
Searching for a "normal blood pressure by age" chart is natural — it seems like an 80-year-old shouldn't be held to the same number as a 20-year-old. But in the United States, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology use the same categories for all adults. Normal is below 120/80 at every age.
Blood pressure chart by age (adults)
| Age group | Normal BP | Adults with high BP* | Of those, aware of it | Of those, controlled (<130/80) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18–39 | Below 120/80 | 23.4% | 27.2% | 4.5% |
| 40–59 | Below 120/80 | 52.5% | 56.7% | 18.1% |
| 60 and older | Below 120/80 | 71.6% | 73.7% | 29.2% |
| All adults | Below 120/80 | 47.7% | 59.2% | 20.7% |
The takeaway: as you get older, your blood pressure is more likely to rise — but "common" doesn't mean "normal" or harmless. And younger adults are the least likely to know their numbers.
Blood pressure chart by age and gender
Normal is the same for men and women: below 120/80. Differences show up in how often high blood pressure occurs:
- Men: about 50.8% of US adult men have high blood pressure.
- Women: about 44.6% of US adult women. Risk rises after menopause, and high blood pressure during pregnancy needs close follow-up.
Blood pressure for seniors
The normal range for older adults is still below 120/80, but a few things are more common after 60:
- Isolated systolic hypertension — a high top number with a normal bottom number, as arteries stiffen. See systolic vs. diastolic.
- Dizziness on standing (orthostatic hypotension), sometimes from medicines — stand up slowly and tell your doctor.
- Individual goals — your doctor balances benefits and side effects, especially with other health conditions.
Pediatric blood pressure chart
For children and teens, US pediatricians follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2017 guideline:
| Category | Ages 1–12 (percentile for age, sex, height) | Ages 13+ |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below the 90th percentile | Below 120/80 |
| Elevated | 90th to below 95th percentile (or 120/80 up to the 95th, whichever is lower) | 120–129 / below 80 |
| Stage 1 | 95th percentile up to 95th + 12 mm Hg (or 130/80–139/89, whichever is lower) | 130/80–139/89 |
| Stage 2 | 95th + 12 mm Hg or more (or 140/90+, whichever is lower) | 140/90 or higher |
Children's percentile tables depend on height, so ask your pediatrician to interpret a child's reading.
Know your own numbers
Because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms, the only way to know is to measure. Take two readings a minute apart at the same time each day with a validated upper-arm cuff, and record them in a blood pressure log. Cardivo for iPhone keeps that log for you, next to heart rate and HRV, and exports a PDF for your doctor.
This guide is general wellness education based on the public sources below. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cardivo is not a medical device. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What is normal blood pressure by age?
For all adults, normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg — the AHA/ACC categories don't change with age. High blood pressure becomes more common with age: about 23% of US adults 18–39, 53% at 40–59, and 72% at 60 and older.
What is normal blood pressure for a 60-year-old or a senior?
Still below 120/80. Older adults often have a higher systolic number, and their doctor sets an individual treatment goal if they have hypertension.
Is normal blood pressure different for women and men?
No. Normal is below 120/80 for both. Men are somewhat more likely to have high blood pressure; women's risk rises after menopause.
What is normal blood pressure for children?
For ages 1–12, normal is below the 90th percentile for age, sex, and height. From age 13, adult numbers apply: below 120/80.
Sources
- CDC NCHS Data Brief No. 511 — Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among adults, Aug 2021–Aug 2023
- American Family Physician (2018) — High blood pressure in children and adolescents (AAP 2017 guideline summary)
- American Heart Association — Understanding blood pressure readings