What is the difference between older and younger peoples blood pressure?

As people age, their blood pressure tends to increase. This is due to a number of factors, including:

* Arterial stiffening: As people age, their arteries become stiffer and less elastic. This can cause blood pressure to increase because the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the arteries.

* Increased blood volume: As people age, the amount of blood in their body increases. This can also put added pressure on the arteries and raise blood pressure.

* Reduced kidney function: As people age, their kidneys become less efficient at filtering out sodium and other waste products from the blood. This can also lead to increased blood pressure.

* Certain medications: Some medications that are commonly used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can also contribute to elevated blood pressure.

Older people are also more likely to have other medical conditions that can increase blood pressure, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

The normal blood pressure range for adults is 120/80 mm Hg or less. Blood pressure is considered to be high if it is consistently 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

High blood pressure can increase the risk of developing a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye damage. It is important for older people to have their blood pressure checked regularly and to take steps to control it if it is high.

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