Is a blood pressure reading of 106/72 considered normal for a 61-year-old female?

Is 106/72 mmHg a Good Blood Pressure for a 61-Year-Old Female?

Yes, a blood pressure of 106/72 mmHg is excellent for a 61-year-old female and falls well within the optimal range associated with minimal cardiovascular risk.

Blood Pressure Classification

This reading qualifies as optimal blood pressure by current standards:

• Systolic 106 mmHg is significantly below 120 mmHg, which the American Heart Association defines as the threshold for optimal blood pressure associated with minimal cardiovascular mortality 1
• Diastolic 72 mmHg falls within the recommended range of 70-79 mmHg endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology for all hypertensive patients, and is well within normal limits for normotensive individuals 1, 2

Age-Specific Context for a 61-Year-Old Woman

For women in their early 60s, this blood pressure is particularly favorable:

• The European Society of Cardiology recommends a target range of 130-139/70-79 mmHg for patients aged 65-79 years 2, and this patient's reading is substantially lower than even these treatment targets
• Current guidelines support maintaining systolic blood pressure <130 mmHg for most adults, including those aged 60 years and older 1, and this patient achieves a level well below this threshold
• The diastolic pressure of 72 mmHg is ideal, as it avoids both the risks of elevated diastolic pressure and the potential concern of excessively low diastolic readings (below 60-70 mmHg) that could compromise coronary perfusion 3

Evidence Supporting This as Optimal

Multiple lines of evidence confirm this blood pressure confers cardiovascular protection:

• Observational data demonstrate a continuous and graded relationship between cardiovascular risk and increasing systolic blood pressure above 115/75 mmHg 4, meaning this patient's reading of 106/72 mmHg is in the lowest risk category
• The Framingham Heart Study data show that high-normal blood pressure (130-139/85-89 mmHg) carries increased cardiovascular risk compared to optimal levels 5, further supporting that this patient's lower reading is protective
• In the landmark SHEP trial of elderly women (mean age 72 years), achieved blood pressures of 143/68 mmHg with treatment were associated with significant stroke reduction 4, and this patient's untreated pressure of 106/72 mmHg is even more favorable

Clinical Implications

This blood pressure requires no intervention and represents an ideal cardiovascular risk profile:

• No antihypertensive medication is indicated 1, as the patient is well below any treatment threshold
• This reading suggests excellent cardiovascular health and is associated with minimal risk of stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular events 4
• Regular monitoring every 3-6 months is appropriate to ensure blood pressure remains stable 1

Important Caveats

While this blood pressure is excellent, ensure the following:

• Verify the reading was obtained using proper technique (seated, rested, appropriate cuff size) to confirm accuracy
• Rule out symptomatic hypotension: If the patient experiences dizziness, lightheadedness, or orthostatic symptoms, further evaluation is warranted despite the favorable numbers 3
• The diastolic pressure of 72 mmHg is well above the concerning threshold of 60-70 mmHg 3, so there is no risk of compromised organ perfusion

In summary, 106/72 mmHg represents optimal blood pressure for a 61-year-old female and is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk. 1, 2, 5