Best Blood Pressure for Older Adults: Safe Targets After 60
The best blood pressure target for older adults is personal and depends on age, overall health, frailty, kidney function, medications, symptoms, and how well the person tolerates treatment. While lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in some healthy, active adults over 60, targets that are too low may cause dizziness, fainting, fatigue, kidney problems, or falls. A practical approach is to aim for under 130/80 for healthy and independent adults ages 60 to 79, under 140/90 for those with frailty, dizziness, multiple conditions, or several medications, and around 130 to 150 systolic for adults age 80 and older depending on symptoms and tolerance. The safest goal is one that lowers long-term risk without reducing daily function or safety.