Healthy Blood Pressure By Age: What Is Good Blood Pressure Based On Age?
Written by Dr Nelson Lau, MBBS FRACGP General Practitioner and Digital Health Specialist. Blog updated on 27th November 2025 and Blog published on 22 February 2024.
Contents
Overview
Your blood pressure needs regular monitoring because it functions similarly to car tire pressure checks for maintaining safe operations and preventing future breakdowns. The correct blood pressure targets for your age group remain unclear to many people. The following guide explains which blood pressure readings are considered healthy for people at different ages.Why Tracking Blood Pressure Matters
Your blood pressure functions as a fundamental indicator which shows your blood circulation health status. Your doctor together with you will detect potential changes through blood pressure monitoring. Early detection of rising blood pressure enables you to start lifestyle changes before the condition develops into a severe issue. Your doctor uses this method to protect your future health while lowering your chances of experiencing heart attacks and strokes.How Is It Measured
The blood pressure measurement process involves placing a cuff placement around the upper arm followed by inflation and then deflation while taking the reading. The procedure delivers fast results through a painless process.Understanding “mmHg”
The mmHg measurement in your test results represents "millimetres of mercury." The medical field uses this measurement standard for pressure assessment. The blood pressure measurement system used mercury as its pressure indicator during past medical practices. The medical term "mmHg" should not concern you because doctors throughout Australia and worldwide use this standard measurement.Blood Pressure Range & What It Means
The Heart Foundation of Australia provides this table which explains blood pressure readings for adult patients.| Blood Pressure Category | Systolic (Top Number) | Diastolic (Bottom Number) | What It Means |
| Low Blood Pressure | Below 90 | Below 60 | Often harmless if asymptomatic, but can cause dizziness or fainting. |
| Ideal / Normal | Below 120 | Below 80 | The gold standard — maintain these habits. |
| Elevated | 120–129 | Below 80 | Early warning. Lifestyle changes are recommended. |
| High (Hypertension) – Stage 1 | 130–139 | 80–89 | Mild hypertension. Requires monitoring and a management plan. |
| High (Hypertension) – Stage 2 | 140 or higher | 90 or higher | Significant hypertension. Usually needs medication plus lifestyle changes. |
Calculate Your Blood Pressure
The machine performs all blood pressure calculations without requiring your manual intervention. The main requirement for accurate results involves obtaining proper measurements.- Sit Down: Rest quietly for 5 minutes before measuring.
- Get Comfortable: Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and arm supported at heart level.
- Use the Cuff: Ensure the cuff is the right size and placed on bare skin as instructed.
- Take the Reading: Stay still and quiet while the machine inflates and deflates.
- Repeat: For accuracy, take 2-3 readings a minute apart and average the results.
Experiencing these symptoms? Speak with a doctor within 15 minutes.
Ideal Blood Pressure by Age
The standard blood pressure target for most adults should be below 120/80 mmHg but the following chart provides specific recommendations based on age.| Age Group | Ideal Blood Pressure (mmHg) | What to Watch For |
| 18–39 Years | 110–120 / 70–80 | This is the foundation phase. Build strong habits: reduce salt, stay active, avoid weight gain. |
| 40–64 Years | ≈120 / 80 | Blood pressure naturally creeps up. Regular checks are essential to catch early hypertension. |
| 65+ Years | ≈130 / 80 | Slightly higher targets may be acceptable, but require closer GP monitoring to avoid complications. |
Why blood pressure changes with age:
Blood pressure levels change throughout different stages of life because of natural changes in artery stiffness. The arteries lose their ability to stretch properly during each heartbeat and become more rigid which results in increased blood pressure inside the arteries. The process of monitoring becomes essential because we advance through different stages of life.When to See a Doctor
- Your GP needs to see you when:
- Your blood pressure readings stay in the 'Elevated' or 'High' category.
- Your family history shows high blood pressure or heart disease.
- You experience ongoing headaches together with dizziness and vision problems.
How Hola Health Can Help
Managing your blood pressure doesn’t need to be complicated — and Hola Health makes it easier with fast, accessible, GP-led care from home. Whether you’re keeping an eye on rising readings or already managing high blood pressure, our doctors can support you at every step.
Here’s how Hola Health helps:
-
Instant GP consultations: Speak with an Australian-registered GP online for personalised advice, assessment, and blood pressure management — no waiting rooms required.
-
Review of your readings: Upload or share your home blood pressure readings. Our doctors help interpret your numbers, explain what they mean for your age, and recommend next steps.
-
Medication when needed: If appropriate, a GP can provide online prescriptions for blood pressure medication — all delivered via secure eScript.
-
Follow-up and monitoring: Regular telehealth check-ins help track how your blood pressure responds to lifestyle changes or medication, ensuring your treatment stays on target.
-
Referrals when required: If your symptoms or readings need specialist assessment, Hola Health can arrange referrals to cardiologists or other specialists.
-
Convenient medical certificates: If high blood pressure symptoms are affecting your work or study, our GPs can issue online medical certificates on the same day.
With accessible telehealth, flexible appointment times, and trusted Australian GPs, Hola Health empowers you to manage your blood pressure with confidence — from your home, your office, or on the go.
FAQ
What time of day should I measure my blood pressure?
The most suitable time for blood pressure measurement occurs during morning hours before food consumption and medication intake and before evening time. You should avoid caffeine and exercise and smoking for at least thirty minutes before taking your blood pressure reading.What’s considered dangerously high blood pressure reading?
A blood pressure reading of 180/120 mmHg or higher indicates a hypertensive crisis which requires immediate medical assistance.What’s considered low blood pressure?
A blood pressure reading below 90/60 mmHg is considered low but only becomes problematic when it causes dizziness or fainting or vision problems.Natural methods exist to help people lower their blood pressure levels.
Yes. Many people achieve significant blood pressure reduction through lifestyle changes which include salt reduction and increased vegetable consumption and regular exercise and weight management. However, if natural methods are not effective, they will require medical management to reduce their risk of high blood pressure.Does temperature affect blood pressure?
Yes. The hot Australian summer weather causes blood vessels to expand which results in lower blood pressure readings. The body responds to cold temperatures by narrowing blood vessels which leads to increased blood pressure.What is the best diet to maintain healthy blood pressure?
The DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet stands as the recommended eating plan for people who want to control their blood pressure. The diet requires you to consume fresh whole foods while reducing your intake of processed foods and saturated fats and salt. The DASH diet follows a traditional Australian eating pattern which focuses on vegetables and reduces salt content in meat products.Need time off to recover? Get your medical certificate online within 15 minutes.
What we treat
- Cough
- Nausea & vomiting
- Fever
- Hayfever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Gout
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Sunburn
- UTI
- Erectile dysfunction
- Contraception
- Morning sickness
- Morning after pill
- Prostate health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Grief & loss
- Antidepressants
- Premature ejaculation
- Asthma
- Blood pressure
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Migraines & headaches
- Allergies
- Body ache
- Heartburn & reflux
- Sleep disorder
- Pain relief
- Gastro
Related Articles
Healthy Blood Pressure By Age: What Is Good Blood Pressure Based On Age?
Disclaimer
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not indicate that Hola Health provides all treatments or preventive measures mentioned. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. For emergencies please immediately contact 000. Any medical topics discussed are intended to educate, not to imply availability through Hola Health.
Facebook
X
Copy Link



