Quick answer
For adults, the healthy range is the same at every age and for men and women: under 120/80. Blood pressure tends to rise with age, but higher numbers aren't "normal" for older people. Children are different: their normal range depends on age, sex and height.Adults of any age
Under 120/80 is normal. 120–129 with a bottom number under 80 is elevated. 130–139 or 80–89 is stage 1 high blood pressure, 140 or more or 90 or more is stage 2, and 180/120 or more is a crisis.
Older adults
The top number often creeps up as arteries stiffen. Treating high blood pressure still lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack after 75. Watch for dizziness when standing, especially on medicine.
Women
Blood pressure tends to be lower than men's until midlife and rises after menopause. Pregnancy and some birth control pills can raise it.
Men
Men are more likely than women to have high blood pressure before about age 65.
Children
There's no single normal number for kids: doctors compare a child's reading with others of the same age, sex and height (percentiles). Children should have it checked at yearly checkups from age 3.
Teens 13 and older
Doctors use the same categories as for adults.
Questions people also ask
Sources
- 2025 AHA/ACC High Blood Pressure Guideline
- American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline (Flynn et al., Pediatrics 2017)
- CDC.
General information, not medical advice.