Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?

What is the significance of the spread between systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings?

- Ed / Washington

Answer

The numeric difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called your pulse pressure. For example, if your resting blood pressure is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), your pulse pressure is 40 — the difference between 120 and 80.

Certain conditions can increase your pulse pressure. These include aortic valve disorders, severe anemia and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). But by far the most important cause of elevated pulse pressure is stiffness and reduced elasticity of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. This may be due to high blood pressure or fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis). The greater the difference between your systolic and diastolic numbers, the stiffer and more damaged the vessels are thought to be.

Evidence suggests that pulse pressure may be a strong predictor of heart problems, especially in older adults. But systolic pressure is the best predictor in people older than age 55. In adults older than age 60, a pulse pressure greater than 60 mmHg is abnormal. Treating high blood pressure usually reduces pulse pressure as well.

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