What is the acceptable blood pressure range for women?

From the Guidelines

The acceptable blood pressure range for women is generally considered to be below 120/80 mmHg, with a therapeutic target of 130/80 mm Hg, as recommended by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines 1. For more specific guidance:

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg
• Elevated: 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic
• Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic
• Stage 2 hypertension: 140/90 mmHg or higher Women should aim to maintain their blood pressure in the normal range through lifestyle measures such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting sodium intake, and managing stress. If blood pressure consistently falls in the elevated or hypertensive ranges, consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended. It's essential to note that blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day and may be affected by factors such as stress, physical activity, and certain medications. Regular monitoring and multiple readings over time provide a more accurate picture of overall blood pressure health. The 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines recommend out-of-office monitoring of blood pressure for confirmation and management of hypertension, irrespective of sex 1. Additionally, the guidelines suggest that women may derive more benefit from blood pressure control using ambulatory blood pressure measurement as opposed to conventional blood pressure monitoring 1. Some studies suggest that treating to a systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal of <140 mm Hg may provide greater public health protection against cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older women, with little evidence of serious harm 1. However, the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines recommend a therapeutic blood pressure target of 130/80 mm Hg, irrespective of sex 1. In terms of lifestyle interventions, women should accumulate a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week, and consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole-grain, high-fiber foods, and fish, especially oily fish, at least twice a week 1. Limiting sodium intake to <2.3 g/d and alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day is also recommended 1.

From the Research

Acceptable Blood Pressure Range for Women

The acceptable blood pressure range for women can be determined based on various studies and guidelines.

• The American guidelines recommend ≤130/80 mm Hg for essentially all adults, including women 2.
• A study published in the American journal of hypertension in 2000 proposed 125/80 mm Hg as a home blood pressure corresponding to an office blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg, and 115/75 mm Hg corresponding to 120/80 mm Hg 3.
• The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American Society of Hypertension guideline recommends an office visit blood pressure > 130/80 mmHg as the new threshold for diagnosis of hypertension, and states that the treatment goal for all hypertensive patients should be lowered to < 130/80 mmHg 4.
• The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure redefined normal blood pressure as less than 120/80 mm Hg in 2003 5.

Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Several factors can affect blood pressure in women, including:

• Age: blood pressure tends to increase with age 6.
• Frailty: frailty can affect blood pressure control 2.
• Polypharmacy: taking multiple medications can affect blood pressure control 2.
• Baseline blood pressure: individual baseline blood pressure can affect the optimal target blood pressure 2.
• Diastolic blood pressure J-curve: the diastolic blood pressure J-curve can affect the optimal target blood pressure 2.

Guidelines for Blood Pressure Management

Different guidelines provide recommendations for blood pressure management in women, including:

• The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American Society of Hypertension guideline 4.
• The European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology guideline 6.
• The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure guideline 5.