Interesting Blood Pressure Chart!

[epinephrine]

Hey everyone, I'm a current student taking a biology course, and after looking over a lab packet we received on the "Physiology of the Circulatory System", I noticed that one of the charts labeled "Normal Blood Pressure for Men and Women at Different Ages" was a bit weird. According to the chart, the average systolic and diastolic pressure for males simply increase as they get older. The same applies for women, except at 19 years old, the chart shows a 1 unit decrease in the systolic and diastolic pressure of women, but at 20-24 years old it goes back up and continues to increase from there. I was wondering if anyone might know the reason for this, or is itjust a mistake.

Here is a link to a website that shows the exact lab packet I received, the chart is labeled "Table 10.1: Normal Blood Pressure for Men and Women at Different Ages"

Thanks!,

Epinephrine

http://sps.k12.ar.us/massengale/physiol ... ory_sy.htm
http://sps.k12.ar.us/massengale/physiology_of_the_circulatory_sy.htm[/url]

[MrMistery]

Why does blood pressure increase with age? I never asked myself that although i knew it was like that. First of all, i think it is a mistake what is says about the 19 year-old female. From what i know, blood pressure increases constantly as you get older. It may be because of the fact that your circulatory sistem does not function so good, the valves are not that good as they were so the heart needs more pressure. (This is the passing from adult to elder). In the passing from child to adult i would say because more "stuff" is required to a bigger body.

[mith]

Hardening of the arteries, prolly due to weakening muscles.

[epinephrine]

OoO Thanks, but I was mainly confused about the whole unit decrease in 19 year old women =]

[sdekivit]

Hardening of the arteries, prolly due to weakening muscles.

and increased atherosclerotic plaques.