Question

The recent trend in interpreting results of blood pressure readings indicates that older adults will remain healthier if their blood pressure values are:

A) Lower than 100/60 mm Hg
B) Slightly elevated within the 140/90 mm Hg range
C) Maintained within the 120/80 mm Hg range
D) Higher than 160/100 mm Hg

Answer 1

The healthiest blood pressure for older adults is maintained within the 120/80 mm Hg range, which helps prevent cardiovascular issues and balances the risks of both hypotension and hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

Blood Pressure and Health

Recent guidelines suggest that maintaining blood pressure within a certain range is crucial for the health of older adults. Systolic blood pressure should ideally be less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mm Hg for optimal health and to minimize the risk of long-term cardiovascular issues. Therefore, the correct response to the student's question is C) Maintained within the 120/80 mm Hg range. Blood pressure that is too low can lead to fainting, whereas chronically high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to serious health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of heart failure. It is important to balance blood pressure to avoid the issues associated with both hypotension and hypertension.