Blood Pressure (Systolic/Diastolic)

Cardiovascular

Vascular Function

mmHg

Blood pressure is the force your circulating blood exerts against artery walls, reported as systolic over diastolic. It is the single most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, which is why a preventive practice treats it as a cornerstone measurement, since even high-normal readings quietly accelerate arterial aging over decades.

What It Measures

Force of blood against arterial walls; the single most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor

Optimal vs. Lab Range

Longevity Optimal

110–120/70–80 mmHg

Target range for optimal health and longevity based on research.

Standard Lab

<120/80 mmHg (optimal)

Population-based reference range from standard labs.

Why It Matters

Blood pressure is the single largest modifiable driver of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vascular dementia. Even high-normal values (120–129 systolic) accelerate arterial stiffening and end-organ damage over decades.

When Low

Hypotension: dizziness, fainting, falls (especially in elderly)

When High

Cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney damage, cognitive decline, retinal damage, aneurysm

How to Optimize

Reduce sodium (<2 g/day), increase potassium-rich plants, DASH or Mediterranean diet, lose visceral fat, regular aerobic + resistance training, limit alcohol, treat sleep apnea, manage stress (meditation, breathwork), and pharmacotherapy when lifestyle is insufficient.

Key Interventions & Linked Compounds

Strong evidence

Key Interventions

Exercise

DASH diet

sodium reduction

weight loss

meditation

medication (clinical)

Linked Compounds & Supplements

Magnesium

CoQ10

Beet root (nitrates)

Omega-3

Potassium

Curated from clinical literature. Individual results vary; consult a qualified clinician before changing a protocol.

Ordering Notes

Specimen

Serum or plasma (venous draw)

Patient prep

No fasting required. Maintain usual diet and medications unless advised.

Recommended cadence

Every visit; home monitoring

Reporting unit

mmHg

Pre-analytic notes

Standardize draw time of day, hydration, and recent exercise. Note any acute illness, supplements, or hormonal therapies on the requisition.

Recommended Follow-Up Actions

1
Confirm the result is reliable
Repeat abnormal values before acting — preferably from the same lab, same time of day, and under consistent prep. Rule out acute illness, recent intense exercise, or medication effects that can shift Blood Pressure (Systolic/Diastolic).
2
Compare against optimal, not just lab range
Use the optimal window above as the target. Lab "normal" is built from the general population and often misses early dysfunction.
3
Pair with related markers
Order a complementary panel covering metabolic, inflammatory, and hormonal context to interpret this marker properly.
4
Discuss interventions with a clinician
Use the interpretation guidance above to frame the conversation. Bring trends, not just one datapoint, to your visit.
5
Re-test on a defined cadence
If a change is implemented, re-measure in 8–12 weeks for fast-moving markers, or 3–6 months for slower ones, to confirm response before escalating.