Expected Blood Pressure in older adults
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0May 6, '10 by RebewarrI am a Student nurse in NZ.
We have learnt that the expected range for blood pressure was 100-130/60-90 mmHg.
When I took my clients blood pressure (86 y.o), I got systolic pressure as 170. When I said this was a bit high (she is a previous doctor), she said that was expected, and that systolic should be 100 + clients age. My clinical lecturer agreed that it wasnt too high,
Is this correct?
Thanks - 3,032 Visits
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- 0May 6, '10 by RebewarrNo, client was not on any medication for blood pressure. She didn't seem to believe me when I said it seemed a bit high. I still put it in documentation, and told her she might want to consult her GP or health professional in the village.
I too thought above 140 in older adults seemed a bit high! -
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0May 7, '10 by turnforthenurseRNSounds high. And you can't expect all older adults to have higher blood pressures. Based on my experience they usually are hypertensive but I have also ran into my fair share of older adults who are also hypotensive and some that actually have a normal BP. -
0May 7, '10 by CharlotteDarcyAs we age, blood pressure often increase along with peripheral vascular resistance. However, it's often difficult to distinguish normal aging variation from a disease process. The best thing to do is to document and include it in the plan of care. -
