Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers. The top number is the maximum pressure your heart exerts while beating (systolic pressure). The
bottom number
is the amount of pressure in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure).
Why is diastolic pressure important?
It reflects the amount of pressure inside the arteries as the heart contracts. The bottom (second) number, diastolic pressure, is
always lower
since it reflects the pressure inside the arteries during the resting phase between heartbeats. As it turns out, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure are important.
Which is more important systolic or diastolic blood pressure?
Over the years, research has found that both numbers are equally important in monitoring
heart health
. However, most studies show a greater risk of stroke and heart disease related to higher systolic pressures compared with elevated diastolic pressures.
What is the ideal difference between systolic and diastolic pressure?
Blood pressure ranges
Normal:
less than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic
. Elevated: 120–129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic.
What does diastolic blood pressure indicate?
The diastolic reading, or the bottom number, is
the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats
. This is the time when the heart fills with blood and gets oxygen. This is what your diastolic blood pressure number means: Normal: Lower than 80.
What should I do if my blood pressure is 160 over 100?
Your doctor
If your blood pressure is higher than 160/100 mmHg, then
three visits are enough
. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg, then five visits are needed before a diagnosis can be made. If either your systolic or diastolic blood pressure stays high, then the diagnosis of hypertension can be made.
Why is my diastolic high but systolic normal?
Isolated systolic hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is high, but your diastolic blood pressure
is normal
. It can occur naturally with age or can be caused by a variety of health conditions including anemia and diabetes. ISH should still be treated even though your diastolic pressure is normal.
What if diastolic blood pressure is high?
| Blood pressure levels Systolic (mm Hg) Diastolic (mm Hg) | Stage 2 hypertension 140 or higher 90 or higher | Hypertensive crisis Higher than 180 Higher than 120 |
|---|
What is a good diastolic blood pressure?
A diastolic blood pressure of somewhere
between 90 and 60
is good in older folks. Once you start getting below 60, that makes people feel uncomfortable. A lot of older folks with low diastolic pressures get tired or dizzy and have frequent falls.
What is the best medicine to lower diastolic blood pressure?
- Calcium channel blockers. Norvasc (amlodipine) …
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Prinivil, Zestril (lisinopril) …
- Water pills or diuretics. Chlorthalidone. …
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) Atacand (candesartan) …
- Beta-blockers. Tenormin (Atenolol)
What is bad systolic or diastolic?
Numbers higher than 120/80 mm Hg are a red flag that you need to take on heart-healthy habits. When your systolic pressure is between 120 and 129 mm Hg and your
diastolic
pressure is less than 80 mm Hg, it means you have elevated blood pressure.
Can your diastolic and systolic be the same?
If systolic pressure goes up — even if the
diastolic
pressure stays the same — the patient is at risk for developing serious cardiovascular conditions. What Is Pulse Pressure? The term pulse pressure might be new to you — it’s the difference between your systolic pressure and your diastolic pressure.
What is a normal blood pressure by age?
| Age SBP DBP | 21-25 120.5 78.5 | 26-30 119.5 76.5 | 31-35 114.5 75.5 | 36-40 120.5 75.5 |
|---|
When should I be worried about my diastolic blood pressure?
Pay attention to your diastolic number
when you have your blood pressure checked
. If your lower number is 60 or below, ask your doctor about it. Let your doctor know if you have any symptoms of hypotension or heart failure.
What is the lowest BP before death?
When an individual is approaching death, the systolic blood pressure will typically drop
below 95mm Hg
. However, this number can vary greatly as some individuals will always run low.
What affects your diastolic blood pressure?
In other cases, some uncontrollable factors — such as biological sex, family history, and race — may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Healthful lifestyle changes
, including eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, may contribute to lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
