Expected Blood Pressure in older adults

[Rebewarr]

I 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

[Bob_N_VA]

A quick search online and there are some discrepancies as to what is considered a normal systolic reading for older adults, but in no way does 170 qualify as normal. If thats the case, my bp would be about 150+, and I would not be happy about the long term consequences.

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

I agree. It is expected for baseline BPs to get higher as you grow older due a decrease in the elasticity of your blood vessels. But that still sounds pretty high to me...

[dallet6]

Sounds high to me too. I'm just a first semester student, but we were taught that normal for older adult is 140/90. Was the patient already on hypertensives?

[Rebewarr]

No, 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!

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

yeah 170 is doing damage and is way too high.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Sounds 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.

[CharlotteDarcy]

As 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.

[Michaelxy]

Your lecturer should be scolded. 170 is even way high for Rip Van Winkle.