> Pat Barrett wrote:
> ... there was mentioned. I even wonder sometimes if my b/p is OK
> for me. I ran 
> into people this summer whose b/p was around 240/ 180 and 
> they had all kinds 
> of problems. Mine is only around 170/100 and I am determined 
> to get it down. 

Experts in Paleolithic nutrition consider the vital statistics of
hunter-gatherer populations to be the best indicator of "optimal" ranges.

Vital statistics for adult males:

Blood Pressure Numerator	
American "normal range" 110-130	
Hunter gatherer average 117 *

Blood Pressure Denominator	
American "normal range" 70-80	      
Hunter gatherer average 72 *

LDL ("bad") cholesterol	
American "normal range" <130	
Hunter gatherer range 50-70 *

BMI	
American "normal range" 20 - 25	
Hunter gatherer range 19-24 

Resting pulse (Heart Rate)	
American "normal range" 60-80		
Trained athlete 40-60	
Endurance athlete 28-40

* Source: "Optimal Low-Density Lipoprotein Is 50 to 70 mg/dl: Lower Is
Better and Physiologically Normal," James H. O'Keefe, JR, MD, Loren Cordain,
PHD, William H. Harris, PHD, Richard M. Moe, MD, PHD, Robert Vogel, MD