Blood pressure is always expressed as two numbers, both measured in millimeters of mercury mm Hg. The systolic pressure first or top number measures the force when your hearts beats; the diastolic pressure second or bottom number is a measurement of the heart at rest. For example, someone with a systolic reading of mm Hg and a diastolic reading of 80 mm Hg would have a blood pressure of over If systolic pressure goes up — even if the diastolic pressure stays the same — the patient is at risk for developing serious cardiovascular conditions.
The term pulse pressure might be new to you — it's the difference between your systolic pressure and your diastolic pressure. If systolic pressure increases — even if the diastolic pressure stays the same — your pulse pressure will increase, which seems to be an indicator of cardiovascular disease in some patients.
Though the correlation isn't clear, studies have found a definite link between elevated pulse pressure and:. Though the current standard to determine heart disease risk is by measuring blood pressure , that doesn't mean it's the best indicator. CDC: 7 Out of 10 Kids Obesity and Bariatric Surgery: The Physical, Figuring Your Ideal Weight 0. Under 40? Know Your Risk for Advice from a Breast Cancer Survivor Fighting Back Against Ovarian Cancer 0.
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Answer From Sheldon G. With Sheldon G. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Townsend RR. Increased pulse pressure. Accessed Jan. Cremer A, et al. Journal of the American Heart Association.
Williams B, et al. Journal of Hypertension. Fuster V, et al. Epidemiology of hypertension. In: Hurst's the Heart. McGraw-Hill Education; Mancusi C, et al.
Higher pulse pressure and risk for cardiovascular events in patients with essential hypertension: The Campania Salute Network. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
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