The abstract discusses potential sex differences in normal systolic blood pressure ranges and cardiovascular risk, but reports no quantitative findings.
blood pressure cardiovascular diseases sex F or decades, 120 mm Hg has been considered the normal upper limit for adult systolic blood pressure (SBP). Practice guidelines have long referred to this threshold for classifying ranges of blood pressure (BP) elevation and treatment targets, given the consistent epidemiologic finding that cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is continuously increased from the SBP level of 120 mm Hg and upwards. 1 Amid previous studies using outcomes associations to determine a normal SBP range, there remain limited data on potential sex differences. It is well known that BP levels in adulthood are on average lower in women than men in the healthy state 2 ; however, whether or not a lower range of SBP might be considered normal for women versus men is unclear.
“We've been assuming up to this time that 120 is the number to worry about, and anything under 120 is totally fine and safe for both women and men. It turns out it's probably fine and safe for men, but not necessarily for women.”
Ji et al. (2021) conducted an editorial in Cardiovascular diseases. Systolic blood pressure was evaluated. The abstract discusses potential sex differences in normal systolic blood pressure ranges and cardiovascular risk, but reports no quantitative findings.