Blood Pressure Chart for Men by Age

Average blood pressure for men by age

mmHg, systolic/diastolic. Calculated by us from CDC NHANES August 2021–August 2023 (6,084 adults, pregnant participants excluded, CDC survey weights). How the averages were calculated.

An average is not a target. Older men average higher because high blood pressure becomes more common with age, not because higher numbers are healthy. To check your own reading, use the blood pressure categories or the calculator.

How men's blood pressure changes with age

• Men start higher. At 18–29, men average 10 mmHg higher systolic than women (117 vs 107).
• Diastolic peaks in midlife. Men's average diastolic reaches 79 at 40–59 (122/79 at 40–49, 127/79 at 50–59), then falls to 68 by 80 and over.
• Systolic levels off from the 60s at about 129 (129 at 60–69, 129 at 70–79, 129 at 80+), while women's keeps rising and overtakes men's from the 70s.

How common is high blood pressure in men?

About half of US men have high blood pressure: 50.8% in 2021–2023, compared with 44.6% of women. It is more common with age, and many people with it don't know, because it usually causes no symptoms. The only way to know is to measure it: every 3 to 5 years from 18 to 39 if your readings are normal and you have no risk factors, and every year from 40 or if you are at higher risk.

Sources: CDC NCHS Data Brief 511 (high blood pressure defined there as 130/80 or higher, or taking medication) · USPSTF.

What raises and lowers it

Common causes and risk factors include not getting enough physical activity, a diet high in sodium, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, excess weight, diabetes, stress and family history. Being active (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week), eating less sodium, limiting alcohol, not smoking and keeping a healthy weight all help. If that isn't enough, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication.

Source: CDC, About High Blood Pressure.

Low blood pressure in men

A reading below 90/60 mmHg is usually called low, for men and women alike. Low blood pressure often causes no problems. See a doctor if you keep having symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.

Source: NHS, Low blood pressure.

When to get help

A reading above 180/120 is severely high. If you also have chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness or weakness, a change in vision or difficulty speaking, call emergency services now. Without symptoms, wait a minute and measure again; if it is still that high, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Source: AHA, When to call 911.

Sources

• NHANES August 2021–August 2023 public-use data (DEMO_L, BPXO_L), CDC National Center for Health Statistics
• Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, August 2021–August 2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 511), CDC National Center for Health Statistics
• 2025 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (Circulation 2025;152(11):e114–e218): top things to know, American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology
• Hypertension in Adults: Screening (Grade A recommendation, April 2021), US Preventive Services Task Force
• About High Blood Pressure, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Low blood pressure (hypotension), NHS
• When to call 911 about high blood pressure, American Heart Association