For many years, the ideal figure for normal blood pressure has been celebrated as 120/80 mm Hg. This is the number that many of us link to a well-functioning heart and blood circulation. As medical science advances, our understanding and guidelines also progress. Recent findings indicate that this long-standing benchmark may not be applicable to everyone anymore.

The recent updates from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) present new guidelines that question the long-held notion that 120/80 is the universal benchmark for blood pressure. These findings are changing the way doctors assess cardiovascular health, particularly for specific groups such as older adults and those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes.

Comprehending Blood Pressure Measurements
To begin with, let’s analyze what those figures signify. According to Healthline, blood pressure readings consist of two numbers:

Systolic Pressure: The upper figure that indicates the pressure in your arteries during the heartbeat of your heart.
Diastolic Pressure: This is the lower number that indicates the pressure in your arteries while your heart is at rest between beats.
For example, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg indicates:

120 indicates the systolic pressure, which is the force that blood applies against the walls of your arteries when your heart contracts.
80 indicates the diastolic pressure, which is the force of blood occurring between heartbeats.
Both figures are essential in evaluating your cardiovascular well-being. High readings in either category may suggest possible health concerns, including hypertension, which could result in heart disease, stroke, or other complications.

The New Normal: Are We Reevaluating the Norm?
Recent research has shown that normal blood pressure might not be a universal standard for everyone. Traditionally, a reading of 120/80 has been regarded as the ideal for most adults, but this benchmark is currently under reconsideration. The latest ESC guidelines suggest that normal blood pressure could be nearer to 140/90 mm Hg, particularly for certain groups such as:

As individuals grow older, their blood vessels tend to become stiffer, which can lead to a slight increase in blood pressure that may be essential for maintaining proper circulation.
Individuals managing diabetes now have a revised maximum healthy threshold of 130/80 mm Hg, acknowledging their increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
These updates mark a notable shift from the former threshold of 139/89 mm Hg, which had been classified as hypertensive.

What’s the Reason for the Change?
The change in guidelines stems from a more profound comprehension of the impact of blood pressure on overall health, along with the recognition that excessively strict targets may not be advantageous for everyone. Here is the reason: