What is the normal blood pressure (BP) range for a 73-year-old woman?

Normal Blood Pressure for a 73-Year-Old Woman

For a 73-year-old woman, normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mmHg, with optimal BP being 115/75 mmHg based on cardiovascular risk data. 1, 2

Blood Pressure Classification

Optimal and Normal Ranges

• Optimal BP: Less than 120/80 mmHg represents the ideal target associated with minimal cardiovascular mortality 1, 2
• Normal BP: Systolic 120-129 mmHg or diastolic 80-84 mmHg 1
• Prehypertension: Systolic 130-139 mmHg or diastolic 85-89 mmHg 1
• Hypertension: Systolic ≥130 mmHg or diastolic ≥80 mmHg in this age group 3

These classifications apply universally to adults aged 18 and older, including elderly women. 1

Age-Specific Considerations for a 73-Year-Old

Current Treatment Targets (If Hypertensive)

The most recent 2024 European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend:

• Initial default target: 120-129 mmHg systolic if tolerated, with 120 mmHg being the optimal point 1
• Age-adjusted target: For patients 65-79 years old (which includes your 73-year-old patient), a target of 130-139/70-79 mmHg is appropriate 4
• More lenient targets (140-150 mmHg systolic) should only be considered if the patient has moderate-to-severe frailty, limited life expectancy, or symptomatic orthostatic hypotension 1, 4

Important Caveats for This Age Group

Diastolic pressure monitoring is critical:

• Maintain diastolic BP between 70-90 mmHg 4
• Avoid reducing diastolic BP below 60 mmHg, as this may compromise coronary perfusion 4

Risk increases with age:

• Approximately three-fourths of individuals aged 70 years and older have hypertension 1
• For every 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic increase above 115/75 mmHg, there is a doubling of mortality from cardiovascular disease 1
• This linear relationship holds true across all age groups from 40-89 years 1

Clinical Context

What "Normal" Means in Practice

While optimal BP is <120/80 mmHg, observational data show that untreated women at age 70 typically have mean BP around 168/93 mmHg. 5 This highlights that what is "typical" for age is not the same as what is "normal" or healthy.

The key distinction: Normal BP (what should be the goal) remains <120/80 mmHg regardless of age, though treatment targets may be individualized based on frailty, comorbidities, and tolerability. 1, 4

Monitoring Recommendations

• Regular BP checks including home measurements are recommended 4
• Watch for orthostatic hypotension, which increases fall risk in elderly patients 4
• If treating hypertension, allow at least 4 weeks to observe full medication response 4