Normal Blood Pressure and Heart Rate for an 11-Year-Old
For an 11-year-old child, normal blood pressure is approximately 110/67 mmHg (50th percentile), with values up to 121/74 mmHg (90th percentile) still considered within normal range, and normal heart rate ranges from 70-115 beats per minute. 1
Blood Pressure Reference Values
24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure (Most Comprehensive)
- 50th percentile (median/normal): 110/67 mmHg for both boys and girls 1
- 75th percentile: 116/71 mmHg for boys; 114/70 mmHg for girls 1
- 90th percentile: 121/74 mmHg for boys; 119/74 mmHg for girls 1
- 95th percentile: 125/76 mmHg for boys; 122/77 mmHg for girls 1
Daytime Blood Pressure Values
- 50th percentile: 115/72 mmHg for boys; 113/72 mmHg for girls 1
- 90th percentile: 126/80 mmHg for boys; 124/79 mmHg for girls 1
Nighttime Blood Pressure Values
- 50th percentile: 99/54 mmHg for boys; 98/56 mmHg for girls 1
- 90th percentile: 111/63 mmHg for boys; 110/64 mmHg for girls 1
Heart Rate Reference Values
- Normal range: 70-115 beats per minute for children over 3 years of age 1
- Heart rate is more variable in children than adults and should be interpreted in clinical context (e.g., tachycardia may indicate shock even before hypotension develops) 1
Critical Measurement Considerations
Proper Technique is Essential
- Cuff sizing: Bladder width must be 40% of mid-arm circumference and cover 80-100% of arm circumference 2
- Patient positioning: Child should be seated and relaxed with right arm resting at heart level on a solid surface 3
- Multiple measurements: Average of multiple readings provides greater accuracy; blood pressure should be measured on three separate occasions before diagnosing hypertension 4, 2
Height Significantly Affects Blood Pressure
- Blood pressure values vary by 9-21% for different height percentiles in the same age group 5
- Taller children naturally have higher blood pressure values 4
- The tables above assume 50th percentile for height; adjust expectations for significantly shorter or taller children 1
Clinical Interpretation for 11-Year-Olds
Blood Pressure Categories
- Normal: <120/80 mmHg (or <90th percentile for age/height) 4, 6
- Elevated: 120-129 mmHg systolic AND <80 mmHg diastolic 6
- Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89 mmHg 6
- Stage 2 Hypertension: ≥140/90 mmHg 6
Important Pitfall to Avoid
- White coat hypertension is common in children—elevated readings only in clinical settings should be confirmed with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring before diagnosing true hypertension 4
- Diastolic blood pressure in younger children (under age 13) has substantially higher variability than in adolescents or adults, accounting for over 75% of total variability, making systolic pressure more reliable for screening 7
When to Be Concerned
Hypotension Threshold
- Low systolic blood pressure for ages 1-10 years is defined as <70 mmHg + (2 × age in years) 1
- For an 11-year-old specifically: systolic BP <92 mmHg would be concerning for hypotension 1