Blood Pressure Normal Values, Blood Pressure Target Values, and Classification of Blood Pressure by Age

We often receive inquiries about what blood pressure is considered normal at what age. Since we refer to the applicable normal value tables of the German Hypertension League (last updated in 2018), we cannot make a general age-related classification of blood pressure. The classification applies to all adult individuals.

There is a slightly different determination of blood pressure target values. This is based on the values measured in the doctor's office and indicates what blood pressure values should be achieved under therapy. Therapy here includes not only medications but also lifestyle changes - especially in cases of only moderately elevated normal values. The target values therefore apply to individuals for whom the doctor has already determined elevated blood pressure values and who are already undergoing some form of therapy as prescribed by a physician.
Please also note that according to the guidelines of the Hypertension League, a blood pressure of >=135 and/or >=85 mmHg is considered hypertension in home measurements.

For the target values, there is a (albeit small) classification of blood pressure values by age. However, please also note the limitation that treatment decisions and blood pressure target values for older patients who are frail and in need of assistance may need to be modified. An older patient is defined here as someone who has reached the age of 65. 

Additionally, existing comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), or a previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a "mini-stroke," may play a role. This is especially true for individuals who suffer from chronic kidney disease in addition to hypertension - whether it is caused by diabetes or not.

Target ranges for blood pressure values measured in the doctor's office to be achieved under therapy:

Age Group	Target ranges for systolic blood pressure values measured in the doctor's office
	Hypertension	+ Diabetes	+ chronic kidney disease*	+ CAD	+ stroke/TIA ("mini-stroke")**
18 65 years	Aiming for <=130 mmHg, if tolerated, not < 120 mmHg!	Aiming for <=130 mmHg, if tolerated, not < 120 mmHg!	Aiming for <140 - 130 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for <=130 mmHg, if tolerated, not < 120 mmHg!	Aiming for <=130 mmHg, if tolerated, not < 120 mmHg!
65 79 years***	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated
>= 80 years***	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated	Aiming for 130 139 mmHg, if tolerated
Target range for diastolic blood pressure values measured in the office	70 79 mmHg	70 79 mmHg	70 79 mmHg	70 79 mmHg	70 79 mmHg

^* including diabetic and non-diabetic chronic kidney disease
^** refers to patients with a prior stroke, not to the blood pressure target values directly after an acute stroke
^*** Treatment decisions and blood pressure target values may need to be modified for older patients who are frail and dependent.

• https://leitlinien.dgk.org/2019/pocket-leitlinie-management-der-arteriellen-hypertonie-2/
• https://www.kardiologie.org/hypertonie/dgk-jahrestagung-2019/neue-hypertonie-leitlinien--wie-patienten-mit-bluthochdruck-heut/16683764

Our offering meets the afgis transparency criteria. The afgis logo stands for high-quality health information on the internet.

Related Articles:

• Blood Pressure Normal Values (Table)
• Blood pressure normal values, target values, and classification of blood pressure by age
• High Blood Pressure in Children
• Isolated Systolic Hypertension
• Blood Pressure Normal Values (Table)
• High Blood Pressure in Children
• Isolated Systolic Hypertension