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What is normal BP for 70-year-old?

Posted , 11 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

I'm 70 and have been taking Tildiem 200mg and Benfluethiazide 2.5mg for high blood pressure for about 15 years - always the same dosage.

I've recently felt that my blood pressure is creeping up a little.  I've been taking it for the past week at home and it averages at 130/85 - this morning the diastolic pressure was 90.  What concerned me was that I had to have an injection into my foot for arthritis and had my blood pressure taken before the procedure - 170/103.  I know I was nervous, but was shocked that my pressure was so high.

Am I worrying for nothing?  Is 130/85 a normal blood pressure for a 70-year-old?  Or should I see my GP about tweaking my medication?  I'd appreciate any advice. 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Cheetah
    Cheetah

    Posted

    No facility to edit my post.   The medication should be Bendroflumethiazide 2.5mg.
  • mollymac
    mollymac Cheetah

    Posted

    Rosiemags

    I am 65 years of age and have been on medication for over 10 years - my average blood pressure is 140/86 and my GP is happy with that. Definitely the stress of having the injection etc would push your pressure up. Monitor your pressure for the next week or so and if you are still concerned contact your doctor. Your pressure of 130/85 seems excellent to me.

  • gill70346
    gill70346 Cheetah

    Posted

    I am 67 and have had blood pressure problems for over 20 years and have been told to aim at 140/90 so your normal at 130/85 is definitely within normal limts. The blood pressure  before getting the injection was high but expected. Mine in stuations like that is often 180/110 and has gone as high as 200/120 and once even higher than that. I really do not think you have anything gone to worry about - I wish mine was as low and steady as yours.
  • derek76
    derek76 Cheetah

    Posted

    That is very normal. I'd give a million for mine to be as low and not to have wide fluctations and side effects from the medications I take.
  • Cheetah
    Cheetah

    Posted

    Thank you all so much for your replies.  I feel reassured by what you have said and will follow your advice, Mollymac, and take it for a little longer before making a decision whether or not to see the doctor.  If it stays the same, I will just mention it at my next six-monthly medication review.

    Thanks again.

     

  • jane243
    jane243 Cheetah

    Posted

    I'm 72 and was told to aim for 'below 135/85'.  You are fine. I have to say i've noticed mine going up gradually too over the past month. Can't think of any reason for it at all other than another birthday looming fast!  From March this year it has been averageing each week anywhere between 114 and 125.For aboout a month now it is consistently 128>.  I take Losartan 25 mg.
  • rdgfootyfan
    rdgfootyfan Cheetah

    Posted

    Sounds like 'white coat' syndrome.  My BP was always high when measured at my GP surgery and when I went for a full health check. 

    GP gave me a BP monitor for 24 hours at home, and later a BP monitor to use at home for a week.  The readings were much lower, but still slightly higher than ideal. 

    I purchased my own reputable brand BP monitor (same brand as GP surgery) and monitor my readings at home.  I use the same methodology as the surgery.  My GP is very happy to use these readings - says they are more useful than those in the surgery.

  • colin143
    colin143 Cheetah

    Posted

    At 70-ish I think the NICE target is 140 over 80 to 90 soI don't think you are entitled to be pleased with your BP. There is nothing to worry about if your readings are a bit high in a surgery or hospital, especially if someone is going to thrust a needle into you.

    An interesting fact is that, as people get older they usually need lower doses of some of the medication they are taking. Over the years doctors have tried 22 different drugs to try to contain and lower my wildly fluctuating BP. Now, having seen a different consultant, I am taking lower doses and few drugs than previously and the BP is much improved - at 87 my NICE target is 150 systolic and I am not far off that and feeling better than for some years.

    The drugs you are taking are probably generic versions. I have found that one version of a generic suit me better than another. For instance, I am now taking Felodopine 2.5mg OD and my systolic reading is generally as much as five points lower than with two other versions from different manufacturers. We live and learn.

    • derek76
      derek76 colin143

      Posted

      How do you get the brand that suits you best?

      GP's have no idea of the variations that pharmacies dish out. I often get two packs each from a different maker.

    • colin143
      colin143 derek76

      Posted

      I only discovered this by chance many years ago. While the main ingredient, such as Furosimide, is similar there can be variations in the other ingredients used. For several years I was seeing a professor of cardiovascular pharmacology and he had the formulations of the different generic versions. He wantd to know the manufacturer of every drug I was taking. I do home readings of my BP pretty regularly at the moment so I know if one version is suiting me better than another. Then I ask the pharmacy for that particular manufacturer. The only snag is that pharmacies buy their drugs in joblots on themarket - much as supermarkets buy petrol! - so the version I prefer might not be available. Then I take the prescription to other pharmacies. Also, my GP now gives me a prescription for that particular version so I don't have to take alternatives. Mind you, it has taken some years for me to discover all this.
    • derek76
      derek76 colin143

      Posted

      They all have the basic drug in the correct dosage but as you say the other ingredients vary according to makers. I complained to the MHRA as when I had generic versions of Securon SR (Verapamil) my BP went up. They asked for samples to analyze and said that they conformed to the required spec but that the bulking materials were different. I used to go round pharmacies asking what they would give me but it became a futile task.

      One lady on this forum reacted to an alternative version of Losartan and her pharmacy now orders the one that suits her especially for her.

      Nexium was a tablet but the generic versions can be capsules or a tablet.   

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo Cheetah

    Posted

    I am not a Dr but would think if you ask they will find that exceptable and anxiety will easily raise it to the levels you mentioned.

    Mine can easily get there when I'm panicked

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