Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are important. If the readings are too high, it may mean a person has high blood pressure. If the readings are too low, there may not be enough blood flowing to the brain and other critical organs.
If there are changes in the difference between the two numbers, it's a clue that there may be a heart condition or other problem. During a heartbeat, the heart is pushing blood out into the arteries. Doctors call this "systole," and that's why it's called the systolic blood pressure. It's the pressure during a heartbeat and the highest pressure measured. When the reading is mmHg or a little below while a person is sitting quietly at rest, the systolic blood pressure is considered normal.
The heart muscle pushes out blood with higher pressure when a person is exercising , under stress, or at similar times when the heart rate is increased. The systolic pressure goes up with it. In these cases, the increased pressure is normal. However, when the pressure is high while a person is resting, that's considered high blood pressure. That's why it is so important to take your blood pressure during periods of quiet rest to diagnose hypertension , or high blood pressure.
High systolic blood pressure is usually caused by narrowing of the arteries, which makes the heart have to work harder to push blood through. If the systolic blood pressure is lower than normal, it's called hypotension. If this low blood pressure is serious enough, it can cause lightheadedness , dizziness , or fainting. If it lasts long enough and it isn't treated, it may cause organs like your kidneys to start shutting down.
Systolic hypotension can occur if the amount of blood in your body becomes too low. This can happen if you are severely dehydrated or you have major bleeding; there just isn't enough blood to push through the body. It also may happen if the heart muscle is too weak to push blood normally, as in cases of cardiomyopathy damaged heart muscle or if the arteries suddenly widen too much, as in vasovagal syncope a reflex that causes fainting.
Sometimes this low blood pressure happens when you change positions suddenly. You may feel dizzy when you stand up because gravity is pulling blood down toward your feet.
This is a common condition called orthostatic hypotension. Your systolic blood pressure is the higher and first number in a blood pressure reading. If it's too high while you are at rest, you may need to have it treated. But pressure that's too low may be a serious problem too, so be sure to discuss your situation with your doctor.
The heart rests between beats so it can refill with blood. Doctors call this pause between beats "diastole. A normal diastolic blood pressure during quiet rest is 80 mmHg or a little below. If you have high blood pressure, the diastolic number is often higher even during quiet rest. Low diastolic pressure may be seen with dehydration or with severe bleeding.
It also may happen if the arteries relax and widen. Your systolic and diastolic pressures—the highest and lowest points of your heartbeat—change depending on your activity level, stress, fluid intake, and other factors. This means that it is better to limit how these other factors change your pressure when taking a blood pressure reading.
For the most accurate reading, it should be taken in a calm, warm space after you rest quietly for at least five minutes. You should be relaxed, with your arms at your sides, and the cuff should be placed on your arm at about the level of your heart.
Your legs should be uncrossed, and your bladder should be empty—both of these can affect your reading. Many experts suggest recording blood pressures over an extended period of time, such as repeating measurements at home, before diagnosing high blood pressure.
Your blood pressure is a measurement of the pressures in your arteries while your heart is beating systolic and between beats diastolic. These values are important in diagnosing and managing high blood pressure. They're also important numbers to know for treating a range of conditions, including heart disease or severe blood loss.
Effective management of high blood pressure is important because if left untreated it can have serious, long-term consequences. High blood pressure damages the lining of the blood vessels and accelerates hardening of the arteries throughout the body. This, in turn, can lead to a variety of health issues, such as cerebrovascular disease, heart attack and peripheral vascular disease, among others.
These are cholesterol-related complications that people often think of when considering health problems associated with high blood pressure. But there's another way high blood pressure is equally dangerous. The constant pounding of high blood pressure on blood vessels can also lead to serious health problems, including the type of stroke where there is bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissues that cover it subarachnoid hemorrhage , congestive heart failure, kidney failure and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
In addition, increasing evidence suggests a correlation between high blood pressure and dementia. Research has shown that successful treatment of high blood pressure is associated with a reduced risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. So, to protect the brain, treat high blood pressure. To effectively address your situation, I encourage you to make an appointment with your doctor to assess your elevated diastolic blood pressure and, based on your health history and other medical issues, develop a plan to manage it appropriately.
By Shawn Bishop. Examples include fast food, hot dogs, and frozen food. Instead, try to focus on consuming healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can be found in things like avocados, olive or canola oil, and nuts. Sodium can increase blood pressure, so limit your intake to 1, milligrams or less per day. Potassium can actually counteract the effect that sodium has on your blood pressure.
How potassium can help control high blood pressure. Caffeine is a stimulant that can raise blood pressure. If you have hypertension, try to limit your intake, particularly before activities that can raise blood pressure, such as exercise.
Drinking excess alcohol can raise your blood pressure. Consume it in moderation. That means two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Avoid foods and drinks that contain added sugars or sweeteners, such as soft drinks, cakes, and candies. A analysis of 15 studies suggests that dark chocolate may slightly reduce blood pressure.
Ried K, et al. A meta-analysis. DOI: The DASH eating plan can help you practice a heart-healthy diet. According to the National Institutes of Health, several studies have shown that following the DASH diet can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
DASH eating plan. Sometimes, you can consume foods with too many calories, sodium, or fat without knowing it. You can avoid this by carefully reading food labels, noting things such as calories per serving, sodium, and fat content.
Losing a little bit of weight can help a lot in lowering your blood pressure. In fact, you can lower your blood pressure by approximately 1 mmHg for every two pounds you lose. Mayo Clinic Staff. A larger waistline can put you at a greater risk of heart disease. Generally speaking, to reduce their risk, men should aim to keep their waistline under 40 inches. Women should try for less than 35 inches. Heart-healthy living. Not only can aerobic activities and exercises help you lose weight, but they can also help you lower your blood pressure.
Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Stress is another thing that can raise your blood pressure. Try to avoid things that trigger stress. Practicing activities such as meditation or deep breathing may also help lower stress. The nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant that can increase your blood pressure. It can also lead to injury of the walls of your blood vessels.
Not only is quitting smoking beneficial for your overall health, but it can also help lower your blood pressure. Although more research may be needed, some studies show that supplements such as garlic can help lower blood pressure.
Ried K. Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, regulates serum cholesterol, and stimulates immunity: An updated meta-analysis and review.
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