The second number is the diastolic blood pressure and it tells you how much pressure your blood exerts on your artery walls between heart beats. The first number is the systolic blood pressure and it tells you how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls when your heart beats.
In older adults who have hypertension (high blood pressure), what are the best blood pressure targets? Backgroundīlood pressure is reported with 2 numbers, such as 120/80 mm Hg.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Hypertension in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older to Higher Versus Lower Blood Pressure Targets: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. In people 60 years of age or older, blood pressure targets should be determined based on their history and risk factors