Blood pressure and circulation after 50

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. It is written as two numbers: systolic, measured while the heart beats, and diastolic, measured between beats. Readings tend to rise with age as arteries stiffen, and high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms at all, which is why a regular measurement tells you far more than how you feel. Under current American guidelines, readings at or above 130/80 count as high blood pressure, and low readings can matter too when they come with dizziness or fainting.

This hub collects our articles on blood pressure, heart rate and circulation: how to take and read a measurement at home, what the stages mean, why numbers change through the day or when you stand, how blood pressure links to sleep, blood sugar and erections, and how food and exercise fit in. We also explain heart rate basics, from resting pulse to training zones, because many men over 50 track both. Each article cites its sources and none replaces your doctor. Chest pain, a severe headache, sudden weakness or a reading of 180/120 or higher with symptoms needs emergency care.