Ask the doctor: Is my blood pressure normal?

Ask the doctor

Is my blood pressure normal?

Published: February, 2008

Q. I'm a 75-year-old woman. The top number of my blood pressure is between 135 and 140, the bottom number around 75. My doctor says this is fine. Should I believe him?

A. Your question is important. If more people knew their blood pressure and asked "Is it normal?" some of the 700,000 strokes Americans suffer each year could be prevented.

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