The level of blood pressure (BP) in a person is determined by two indicators - upper and lower pressure. The top indicator is scientifically called systolic pressure, and the bottom is diastolic pressure. Together, both indicators show how correctly the heart muscle (myocardium) works, and its normal functioning depends on the work of the large arteries. They are a buffer that prevents the negative influence of external factors on human organs and systems.
After contraction of the cardiac sac, the arterial valve takes a closed position, due to which the flow of blood stops, and the flow of blood from the pulmonary artery, enriched with oxygen, begins. At the next beat, the process changes and blood moves throughout the body. The indicator that is responsible for normal blood flow is the lower, diastolic.
Why does discomfort occur?
The fact is that blood circulates in the human body all the time, even when the person is absolutely not susceptible. While blood enters the ventricles of the heart, the heart muscle spasms, and the blood in the ventricles under pressure comes out into the vessels. The process of filling the vessels occurs so quickly that pressure is created.
As soon as a failure occurs in this mechanism, a person begins to feel a deterioration in his general condition.
We can conclude that blood pressure depends on how intensely the heart contracts. As soon as you see that your blood pressure has deviated from the norm, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is possible that this is due to heart disease. If no heart problems are found, it is worth looking for a problem in other areas of the cardiovascular system.
Blood pressure, which is recorded at the moment the heart muscle pushes blood out of the heart, is called symbolic or upper pressure.
what is the difference between high and low blood pressure
Using systolic pressure, you can accurately determine the heart rate. Normally it is about 110-130.
As a person ages, a person's blood pressure increases. After 50 years, a blood pressure of 140 is considered normal.
But the pressure on the walls of the arteries at the moment of complete relaxation of the heart muscle is called diastolic or lower pressure.
From this indicator one can judge the force with which blood moves through the vessels of the body. If a person is absolutely healthy, then the indicator can be 65-80.
As you noticed, the difference between blood pressure and heart pressure
65 and 80 is significant. It is determined by the individual characteristics of each individual person. If your vessels are in good tone and elastic enough, then the pressure will be about 75-80 units.
UPPER BLOOD PRESSURE (systolic)
Often at appointments I hear questions and concerns from patients about high and low upper (systolic) pressure, as well as the difference between upper and lower pressure. These questions cause great anxiety and misunderstanding, and sometimes fear.
At each examination, the doctor measures blood pressure, and if the indicators are changed, this is a reason for an in-depth examination. We use tonometers to measure blood pressure at clinic appointments and at home.
These devices are:
– MECHANICAL, that is, when air is pumped into the cuff through a bulb, these are the oldest devices, measuring pressure yourself in this way is not very convenient and the pulse must be calculated independently;
– SEMI-AUTOMATIC – when you pump air manually, and the measurement result is shown on the display,
– AUTOMATIC – when air is pumped automatically. There are blood pressure monitors on the wrist. They are very comfortable and do not create discomfort. But in this case, it is necessary to measure the pressure STRICTLY according to the instructions, otherwise the readings may be unreliable. I had a tonometer from OMRON for a long time; it served me for more than 5 years until I left it on call.
It is important to measure pressure CORRECTLY, otherwise the readings will not be reliable. How to do it?
What is the normal difference between systolic and diastolic pressure?
Let's find out what difference in pressure is considered normal
. If we take the norm, which for an adult is 120/80 mm. rt. Art. , then it is easy to calculate the difference, which is 40 units.
But, if this difference becomes more than 65, this is a signal about the possibility of the rapid development of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, incorrect functioning of the heart and blood vessels leads to their early staining and, accordingly, acceleration of the aging process.
A difference of more than 45 or less than 35 units may indicate the appearance of pathological processes in the body. Symptoms may not appear with such a difference; sometimes general weakness and drowsiness occur.
If we talk about older people, then a difference of up to 50 units between systolic and diastolic pressure is considered the age norm. After all, their tissues are worn out enough and have lost the elasticity of blood vessels.
Norm of upper and lower blood pressure
Constant fixation of indicators within 120/80 or 140/90 means that a person’s heart muscle and renal system are functioning correctly, and there is no reason to worry about health. In young people, indicators of 90/60 are considered normal, if the person feels well and does not complain of dizziness, weakness and weather sensitivity.
Weak pulse with high blood pressure
Also, indicators of upper and lower blood pressure are divided according to the norm depending on age groups:
- 16–20 years – normal values are 100/70, 120/80;
- 20–45 years – there is no reason to worry if the pressure is fixed at 120/70, 130/80;
- 50–60 years – normal blood pressure is 140/90;
- over 60 years old - blood pressure fluctuates within 150/90.
A gradual increase in blood pressure with age is the result of changes in the condition of the vascular walls, capillaries lose their former elasticity, and the heart muscle wears out. If you do not keep the aging process and natural wear and tear of the body under control, a disease may develop that affects all internal organs and systems and requires correction with medications - it is called hypertension.
The first degree of hypertension occurs with an increase in systolic pressure to 160 mm Hg, the second degree is diagnosed at the upper level of 180 mm Hg, and the third (dangerous to health and life) is characterized by surges in systolic blood pressure above 180 mm Hg.
Conclusion
The optimal difference between systolic and diastolic pressure is 70
is 40 mmHg. But a slight deviation of 10 units up or down is also within acceptable limits.
blood pressure prevention
If the pressure changes by 20 more or less, and you feel normal, most likely there was an incorrect pressure measurement. If your health really gets worse, you should immediately consult a doctor.
In case of difference between systolic and diastolic pressure
is sixty or more, this is the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases. In this case, you must constantly consult your doctor. To make an appointment with our specialist, leave a request on the website or call.
Attention to the gap
Of course, as experts note, it is also necessary to look at the gap between these parameters. “I repeat that the normal difference between upper and lower pressure is from 30 to 50 mm Hg. Art. All values that do not fit within these limits may indicate the presence of pathology, and this is already a reason to undergo additional examination. Although at the same time this may be due to the individual characteristics of the body and physiological conditions. But in any case, it’s better to see a doctor so as not to miss the disease,” notes Maria Benevskaya.
So, for example, the specialist emphasizes, a small difference may indicate:
- the presence of atherosclerosis of the aorta (deposition of cholesterol in the largest vessel);
- damage to the kidney vessels;
- aortic aneurysm (pathological expansion of a separate section of the aorta with the possibility of rupture or dissection of the walls due to excessive load);
- anemia (decreased hemoglobin levels in the blood) and many other conditions.
“An increase in the difference may be a consequence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, aggravated by a malnutrition of the brain (most often vertebrobasilar insufficiency). Diseases of the musculoskeletal system lead to weakening of cerebral blood flow. Hence the problems with upper and lower pressure in general,” notes the cardiologist.
Also, as Maria Benevskaya says, various endocrine diseases can lead to changes in pulse pressure. And this is not the entire range of pathologies that affect this parameter. A change in this indicator can be a “bell” to pay attention to your health.
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BLOOD PRESSURE IS:
– systolic (or upper pressure) – pressure numbers are recorded in the phase when the heart contracts or systole;
– diastolic (or lower pressure) – recorded at the moment of maximum relaxation of the heart, a phase of the heart rhythm called diastole;
– venous;
– capillary.
The last two are measured in a hospital setting and we cannot control them ourselves.
What you need to know about diastolic pressure?
The diastolic pressure indicator characterizes the degree of resistance of blood vessels and their permeability to blood. The health of the vascular system is determined by two main factors: the elasticity of their walls and the functioning of the kidneys. The human body contains a large amount of fluid; without its circulation, metabolism is impossible, and blood plays a crucial role in this process. It passes through the kidneys, which act as a kind of filter, regulate water-salt balance and remove toxins from the blood along with urine.
With this mechanism, an increase in diastolic pressure is usually associated with a violation of the removal of fluid from the body, an increase in its volume and an increasing load on the walls of blood vessels. If lower blood pressure exceeds normal levels for a long time, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases. If it decreases for a long time, problems arise with the supply of oxygen to tissues and organs. Because of this, dizziness and fainting occur, especially during physical activity.
The causes of low diastolic pressure may be bleeding, prolonged hunger and dehydration, allergies with anaphylactic shock. The indicator decreases with insufficient production of the hormone renin, which regulates vascular tone. The decrease also occurs due to stress, fatigue and tuberculosis.
RULES FOR MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD PRESSURE:
- Sit quietly and sit for 5 minutes;
- Place the cuff on the shoulder 2 fingers above the elbow;
- The cuff should be applied relatively loosely (you can easily place two fingers under the cuff);
- Measure blood pressure;
- Be sure to enter it in a special table in order to track indicators.
We measure blood pressure in the morning and evening. During the day, if necessary. You should not measure your blood pressure more often. If your blood pressure is stable and you feel good, you can monitor it less often. You can periodically monitor the pressure on both hands, especially if there was a difference in the readings before.
Why does the lower pressure fluctuate?
According to doctors, changes in lower diastolic pressure may be caused by the following factors:
- Moral, mental fatigue;
- Frequent stressful situations, psycho-emotional shocks;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Excess body weight.
Occasionally, lower (diastolic) blood pressure may increase when drinking alcohol and strong coffee, smoking, or lack of sleep.
Main causes of low diastolic pressure
The following reasons can provoke a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and deviations from the norm:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome;
- Insufficient nutrition, adherence to a strict diet;
- Changes in weather and climate conditions (especially in people with a predisposition to weather dependence);
- Underweight;
- Lack of carbohydrates in the daily diet;
- Infectious-inflammatory processes;
- Varicose veins;
- Ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Recent history of heavy bleeding;
- Oncological diseases;
- Myocardial dysfunction;
- Anemia;
- Increased tendency to allergic reactions;
- Pathologies of the urinary system.
A decrease in lower pressure is a sign of decreased tone of the arterial walls.
In weather-dependent people, diastolic pressure may occasionally decrease
The main causes of high lower pressure
According to medical experts, the following factors can lead to an increase in diastolic blood pressure:
- Hereditary predisposition;
- Prolonged and uncontrolled use of diuretics;
- Obesity;
- Excessive amount of salt in the daily diet;
- Diarrhea;
- Smoking.
Changes and deviations from the norm in diastolic pressure may indicate the development of serious pathological processes in the human body. Therefore, if your lower blood pressure is high, you must seek professional medical help!
Growth of the lower indicator with a normal upper
Increased diastolic pressure against the background of normal upper pressure is a symptom of one of the following diseases:
- Hormonal imbalance;
- Pathologies of the renal apparatus (dysfunction, inflammatory processes occurring in a chronic form, polycystic disease);
- The presence of intervertebral hernial formations;
- Diseases of a cardiac nature (cardiosclerosis, myorcarditis, heart failure, cardiomyopathy).
The pathologies listed above pose a serious threat to the patient’s health and require timely, competent treatment!
Simultaneous growth of upper and lower indicators
A simultaneous increase in upper and lower blood pressure may be due to the following factors:
- Diseases of the spinal column (stenosis, scoliosis);
- Tumors of a benign or malignant nature, localized in the area of the kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, pituitary gland;
- Diseases of an endocrine nature (thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, traumatic injuries to the thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism, pituitary disorders, adrenal pathologies);
- Pathologies of the renal apparatus (urolithiasis, renal dysfunction, pyelonephritis) - pressure increases as a result of the accumulation of excess fluid in the body;
- Cardiac diseases (coronary disease, vegetative-vascular dystonia, atherosclerosis, heart valve defects, heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension).
The pathologies listed above, in the absence of medical care, can lead to dire consequences, including disability and even death of the patient!
Simultaneous increase in systolic and diastolic parameters
Pregnancy period
Deviations of lower pressure from the norm are often observed in expectant mothers. Diastolic hypertension during pregnancy can be caused by the following factors:
- Toxicosis;
- A sharp change in hormonal levels;
- Swelling;
- Phenomena of stagnant nature;
- Eclampsia;
- Excessive weight gain in later stages;
- Preeclampsia;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Polyhydramnios;
- Multiple pregnancy.
Regardless of the reasons that provoke increased diastolic blood pressure in expectant mothers, patients definitely require consultation with an experienced specialist, medical supervision and proper treatment. Otherwise, the likelihood of miscarriage, placental abruption, and premature birth increases.
The norm for lower blood pressure is a relative criterion that depends on a person’s age, gender, and lifestyle. However, consistently high diastolic blood pressure is a reason to consult a doctor, since this symptom accompanies many dangerous pathologies, including oncology!
