Final answer:
The optimal blood pressure for adults 18 or older is <120/<80 mmHg, which is considered normal. Values above this range can indicate prehypertension or hypertension, with recommended blood pressure being less than 140/90 mmHg, and diastolic not dropping below 60 mmHg.
Step-by-step explanation:
The optimal blood pressure for adults 18 years of age or older is <120/<80 mmHg. This range is considered a normal blood pressure. A systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mm Hg is defined as prehypertension, and a value of 140 mm Hg or higher is regarded as hypertension. Similarly, a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg or lower is normal, but consistently higher measurements, such as those above 90 mm Hg, indicate hypertension. Studies have also suggested that individuals with systolic pressures around 115 mm Hg, rather than 120 mm Hg, tend to have fewer health problems and that achieving pressures at the lower end of these ranges is associated with better long-term cardiovascular health. Blood pressure guidelines recommend keeping the blood pressure less than 140/90 mmHg, with the diastolic value not dropping below 60 mmHg.