Systolic Blood Pressure

Systolic blood pressure is the 'upper number', the peak pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts. The American Heart Association defines normal systolic BP as below 120 mmHg. Data are from NHANES 2001-2008 (n=19,921), a nationally representative survey of US adults. Age-standardized mean systolic BP in the US is above the global median (NCD-RisC, Lancet 2021), so upper percentiles may not generalize to all populations. Read more on Wikipedia

How to Perform This Test

Equipment
  • Calibrated sphygmomanometer or validated automated BP monitor
  • Appropriately sized cuff
Steps
  1. Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring, back supported, feet flat on the floor.
  2. Place the cuff on the upper arm, at heart level.
  3. Do not talk during the measurement.
  4. Take 2-3 readings spaced at least 1 minute apart.
Scoring

Record systolic pressure (the higher number) in mmHg. Average the readings taken (NHANES averaged up to 3 consecutive readings, follow the protocol of your measurement setting).

Notes

Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for 30 minutes before measuring. White-coat anxiety can raise readings; home measurement often gives lower values than clinic readings.

Data source: Wright et al. - NHANES Blood Pressure (NCHS Report #035) (2011) · n=19.9K About this study

Systolic Blood Pressure Cardiovascular

Systolic Blood Pressure Norms by Age and Sex (mmHg)

Age Sex Percentile
5th 25th 50th 75th 95th
20-29 Male 100 110 118 126 140
Female 90 102 110 118 134
30-39 Male 102 112 120 128 144
Female 92 104 112 120 138
40-49 Male 104 114 122 132 150
Female 96 108 116 126 146
50-59 Male 106 118 126 138 158
Female 100 114 124 136 158
60-69 Male 108 120 130 142 164
Female 104 118 130 142 166
70-79 Male 110 122 134 148 170
Female 108 122 134 148 172
80+ Male 112 124 136 150 174
Female 110 124 138 152 176

What to expect by age group

Among adults in their 30s, the middle 50% measure 112 to 128 mmHg for men and 104 to 120 mmHg for women. Systolic blood pressure increases with each decade; men start higher but women catch up around age 50 to 60 so that by the 70s to 80s, values are similar across sexes. These are population percentiles, for clinical guidance use AHA thresholds (normal: below 120 mmHg; elevated: 120 to 129 mmHg; hypertension: 130 mmHg or above).

Typical range (25th to 75th percentile) by age group (mmHg)
Age MalesFemales
20-29 110 to 126102 to 118
30-39 112 to 128104 to 120
40-49 114 to 132108 to 126
50-59 118 to 138114 to 136
60-69 120 to 142118 to 142
70-79 122 to 148122 to 148
80+ 124 to 150124 to 152

Detailed Breakdowns

Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.

Males
20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980+
Females
20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980+
Age trend (percentiles)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is systolic blood pressure?

Systolic blood pressure is the 'upper number' in a blood pressure reading. It measures the peak pressure in your arteries during each heartbeat, when the heart muscle contracts (systole) and pumps blood into the aorta.

What are the AHA blood pressure categories?

The American Heart Association defines: Normal, systolic below 120 mmHg and diastolic below 80 mmHg. Elevated, systolic 120-129 and diastolic below 80. Stage 1 Hypertension, systolic 130-139 or diastolic 80-89. Stage 2 Hypertension, systolic 140+ or diastolic 90+.

Why does systolic blood pressure increase with age?

As we age, large arteries gradually stiffen due to structural changes in the vessel walls (loss of elastin, increased collagen). Stiffer arteries cannot expand as easily when the heart pumps, so peak pressure rises. This process, called arterial stiffening, is the primary driver of isolated systolic hypertension in older adults.

How was blood pressure measured in this study?

NHANES examiners followed a standardized protocol: participants sat quietly for 5 minutes, then up to 3 consecutive readings were taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer. The readings were averaged. This protocol tends to produce slightly lower values than a single office reading, since the resting period and averaging reduce the effect of white-coat anxiety.

Why might these percentiles not apply outside the US?

This data comes from NHANES, a US-only survey. Age-standardized mean systolic BP and hypertension prevalence vary substantially across countries, for example, East Asian and sub-Saharan African populations show different distributions than the US (NCD-RisC, Lancet 2021). The upper percentiles in particular may be higher here than in populations with lower average BP.

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