Physiology, Blood Pressure Age Related Changes

Abstract

Traditionally, blood pressure is measured using the auscultatory method with a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. According to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), a normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure for adults is <120 mm Hg and <80 mm Hg, respectively. Higher blood pressures earn the progressively severe labels of elevated blood pressure, stage I hypertension, and stage II hypertension. Advanced age correlates with increased blood pressure, which raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. With advanced age, there are microscopic and macroscopic changes to the heart, vascular system, and autonomic nervous system that can dramatically affect blood pressure. This activity aims to begin to understand how aging can affect blood pressure.