What does the bottom number of blood pressure mean
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Understanding the Bottom Number of Blood Pressure: Diastolic Pressure
Definition and Measurement of Diastolic Pressure
The bottom number in a blood pressure reading is known as the diastolic pressure. This measurement represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats. It is the lower of the two numbers in a blood pressure reading, with the top number being the systolic pressure, which measures the pressure when the heart pumps blood through the arteries1 2 3.
Importance of Diastolic Pressure
Both systolic and diastolic pressures are crucial for assessing cardiovascular health. Diastolic pressure specifically indicates how much pressure the blood is exerting against the artery walls when the heart is in a relaxed state. This measurement is essential for understanding the overall health of the cardiovascular system and can help in diagnosing conditions such as hypertension1 2 3.
Normal and High Diastolic Pressure
In adults, a normal blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg, where 80 mmHg is the diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is considered high if the diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg or greater, which can indicate hypertension and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases6. Monitoring diastolic pressure is particularly important in managing and preventing complications related to high blood pressure.
Diastolic Pressure in Different Populations
Research has shown that trends in diastolic pressure can vary significantly across different populations and over time. For instance, high-income countries have seen a decrease in mean diastolic pressure over the past few decades, while some low-income regions have experienced an increase. This shift highlights the importance of targeted public health interventions to manage blood pressure globally5.
Conclusion
The diastolic pressure, or the bottom number in a blood pressure reading, is a critical indicator of cardiovascular health. It measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats and is essential for diagnosing and managing hypertension. Understanding and monitoring diastolic pressure can help in preventing cardiovascular diseases and improving overall health outcomes.
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High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.
Pregnant women with high blood pressure should have their blood pressure measured at least once a week during pregnancy.
High blood pressure in pregnancy.
Taking your blood pressure Blood pressure is often checked by putting a wide band, called a cuff, around your upper arm. Air is pumped into the cuff. Your blood pressure is measured as the air is let out of the cuff. Blood pressure is one number over a second number. You may hear your doctor say 110 over 72 (110/72), for example. • The top number is higher and is called the systolic reading. It is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart pumps. • The bottom number is lower and is called the diastolic reading. It is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats.
High blood pressure and kidney disease.
High blood pressure and kidney disease are linked, as blood pressure increases with age and kidney disease worsens with age.
Bottom blood pressure or bottom cardiovascular risk? How far can cardiovascular risk be reduced?
In high-risk patients, lowering blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg is not enough to achieve a bottom level of cardiovascular risk, and waiting until risk is high blunts the full benefits of interventions.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedWorldwide trends in blood pressure from 1975 to 2015: a pooled analysis of 1479 population-based measurement studies with 19·1 million participants
From 1975 to 2015, the highest worldwide blood pressure levels have shifted to central and eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and south Asia, with the global increase in the number of adults with raised blood pressure largely in low-income and middle-income countries.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedHypertension
Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As the heart beats, it forces blood through the arteries to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the rest of the body. The strength of the blood pushing against the artery walls is blood pressure, which is measured in units called millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The top number in a blood pressure reading is the pressure when the heart pumps (systolic blood pressure), and the bottom number is the pressure between heart beats (diastolic blood pressure). In adults, a normal blood pressure measurement is about 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure is considered high when the measurement is 130/80 mmHg or greater.
Rigorous JournalOFFICE BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT: MEAN OF TWO OR OF THREE VALUES?
Using the mean of the last two blood pressure measurements out of three, as recommended by the 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines, leads to lower blood pressure values but no difference in correlations with cardiac organ damage.
Observational StudyVery Rigorous JournalUntreated hypertension can lead to memory loss by cutting down on blood flow to the brain
Untreated hypertension can lead to memory loss by cutting down on blood flow to the brain.
National, regional, and global trends in systolic blood pressure since 1980: systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 786 country-years and 5·4 million participants
Global population systolic blood pressure has slightly decreased since 1980, with current highest levels in low-income and middle-income countries.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedDifferences of blood pressure estimates between consecutive measurements on one occasion: Implications for inter-study comparability of epidemiologic studies
Combining second and third readings in epidemiologic studies provides more accurate blood pressure estimates than single readings or their combination.
Observational Study