Is it Normal for Elderly People's Blood Pressure to Run a Little High?

According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure typically develops over a long period of time and affects most people eventually. Because of this aspect of hypertension, it is common for elderly people's blood pressure reading to be a little high.

Types

• The most common type of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension, where there is no known cause for the increase in blood pressure. Primary hypertension accounts for over 90 percent of cases, according to the Mayo Clinic, and tends to develop slowly over many years.

Age is a Risk Factor

• The Mayo clinic states that age is one of most common risk factors for developing high blood pressure.

Causes

• As people age, the arteries lose elasticity and are less able to accommodate changes in blood flow, such as sudden surges. This hardening of the arteries contributes to hypertension.

Significance

• According the the American Association of Retired People, you have a 90 percent chance of developing high blood pressure later in life, even if your blood pressure is normal at the age of 55.

Warning

• As you age, you should get you blood pressure checked more often and confer with your doctor if it is getting consistently higher. The older you get, the more important it is to reduce risk factors associated with high blood pressure, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and too much salt in your diet, says the Mayo Clinic.