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Diastole Vs. Systole: Know Your Blood Pressure Numbers
When you check your blood pressure, you get two numbers. The first, or top, number, is called systolic blood pressure. The second, or bottom, number is called diastolic blood pressure.
These two numbers show how hard your heart works to pump blood throughout your body and how much pressure it puts on your blood vessels. If one or both numbers consistently stay too high, it's called hypertension. It can damage your organs over time and lead to serious health problems.
The difference between systolic pressure and diastolic pressure is that they reflect two different forces during one heartbeat:
Systolic pressure. This is the force against your arteries as your heart squeezes to pump out blood. It's a snapshot of how hard your heart is pumping at that moment
Diastolic pressure. This is the pressure in your arteries as your heart rests and fills with blood to get ready for the next heartbeat.
A healthy balance between your systolic and diastolic pressure helps ease the strain on your heart.
Checking your blood pressure at home helps you keep track of your blood pressure numbers. If either number is too high, it might mean you have hypertension, a condition that can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. (Photo credit: E+/Getty Images)
If either number is too high or too low, it can signal a health problem.
Doctors always check your blood pressure because it offers important information about your overall condition, especially your heart health. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can damage your kidneys and eyes and raise your risk for stroke and heart attacks.
You're more likely to get high blood pressure as you get older. Your arteries may grow stiff or get clogged with fatty plaque. Among Americans aged 60 or older, more than 70% have hypertension. That's three times the rate for adults younger than 40.
While low blood pressure is less common, it can still be dangerous. Also called hypotension, low blood pressure may be caused by:
The good news is that both high and low blood pressure are treatable. Lifestyle changes can help manage hypertension. Regular blood pressure checks are key to catching problems early.
Your blood pressure numbers can go up and down throughout the day, depending on what you are doing. Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, certain medications, and stress are some of the factors that can affect your blood pressure.
Your arteries are like a garden hose. When blood pressure gets too high, it's like pushing water through the hose while pinching it with your fingers. That extra force can cause wear and tear on your blood vessels and require your heart to work harder.
One blood pressure reading isn't always enough to tell if you have high blood pressure. Your doctor may check it multiple times to see if it stays high.
Blood pressure falls into different categories, from healthy to dangerous:
Blood pressure ranges in pregnancy
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers change during pregnancy because hormones relax the blood vessels, which helps more blood reach the baby for healthy growth.
In a healthy pregnancy, blood pressure may follow a pattern:
But if your blood pressure becomes too high, it can cause conditions such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. These are serious conditions that require medical care right away.
Blood pressure chart
Use this chart to check your blood pressure levels. If your numbers are high, see your doctor.
Blood Pressure Chart: Systolic and diastolic numbers for heart health and diagnosis.
A doctor or nurse will take your blood pressure with a small gauge attached to an inflatable cuff. It's simple and painless.
The person taking your blood pressure wraps the cuff around your upper arm (or sometimes around your wrist or forearm, though those are less accurate).
Your doctor or nurse will use a stethoscope to listen to the blood flowing through your arteries.
They'll inflate the cuff to a pressure higher than your systolic blood pressure, and it will tighten around your arm. Then, they'll release it. As the cuff deflates, the systolic blood pressure is the first sound they hear through the stethoscope while looking at the gauge. It sounds like a whooshing noise. The point where this noise goes away marks the diastolic blood pressure.
In a blood pressure reading, the systolic number always comes first and then the diastolic number. For example, your numbers may be "120 over 80" or written as 120/80.
Your systolic blood pressure can increase for different reasons, and not all spikes mean you have high blood pressure.
Short-term changes in blood pressure can happen because of stress, caffeine, exercise, or other factors, but they usually return to normal. However, long-term high blood pressure can develop from lifestyle habits or health conditions and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.
Knowing why this happens can help you manage your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.
Other short-term causes include:
Long-term factors that can lead to high blood pressure include:
When the bottom blood pressure number is too high, it signals a different type of hypertension. Genetics, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions can all play a role in high diastolic blood pressure.
You should identify the factors and take action to lower your risk and prevent serious health problems.
Many factors can cause high diastolic blood pressure, such as:
If your top blood pressure number is high, but your bottom number is in a healthy range, you may have a type of high blood pressure called isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).
For example, this happens when your systolic (top) number is 130 or higher, while your diastolic (bottom) number stays below 80.
Older adults are more likely to have this condition. But it can also appear in younger people with some health conditions.
Some common causes include:
Blood pressure medicine can treat isolated systolic hypertension, but lowering the top number too much may also cause the bottom number to drop too low, posing serious health risks.
Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) takes place when the bottom blood pressure number (diastolic pressure) is high, while the top number (systolic pressure) remains within a normal range.
For example, a person with a blood pressure reading of 120/90 has IDH because their diastolic number is 90 or higher, even though their systolic number is normal.
This condition is more common in younger adults and people with health risks such as obesity and metabolic issues.
Several factors may contribute to IDH:
IDH may also be linked to conditions such as chronic kidney disease or thyroid disorders.
A small increase in diastolic blood pressure may not be an immediate health risk, but you should take steps to bring it back to a normal level. Over time, high diastolic pressure can lead to systolic hypertension and increase the risk of heart disease, especially with age.
Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure, meaning the force of blood against the artery walls is too weak.
A reading below 90/60 is considered low, but what's low for one person may be ok for another.
Several factors can cause low blood pressure, including:
Low blood pressure can cause various symptoms, including:
If you experience these symptoms frequently, talk to your doctor to find out the cause and the best way to manage them.
Both blood pressure numbers are essential for checking your heart health. But researchers continue to debate how much weight to give each humber.
Research shows that high systolic numbers may predict stroke and heart disease, particularly in people aged 50 or older. However, some studies highlight the importance of diastolic blood pressure in predicting heart disease risk, especially in younger individuals.
Michael Hecht Olsen, MD, a hypertension and cardiovascular prevention professor at the University of Southern Denmark and lead author of a study on mean arterial pressure (MAP) found that MAP, which takes both systolic and diastolic readings into account, is a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk at any age.
MAP represents the average pressure in your arteries during a heartbeat and is calculated using both blood pressure numbers.
Blood pressure has two numbers: systolic (when the heart contracts and pumps blood) and diastolic (when the heart relaxes). High blood pressure raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, while low blood pressure may cause dizziness or fainting. In pregnancy, blood pressure drops in the first two trimesters and returns to normal in the third. Regular blood pressure checks help maintain a safe range, and a healthy lifestyle is crucial for managing your numbers.
Does systolic or diastolic determine blood pressure?
Blood pressure readings have two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, while the diastolic indicates the pressure between beats when your heart relaxes. Both numbers are essential for understanding your heart health.
Is blood pressure higher during systole or diastole?
Blood pressure is higher during systole when the heart squeezes and pushes blood into the arteries.
How do you know if it's systole or diastole?
As the cuff deflates, the first sound you hear through the stethoscope is the systolic blood pressure, the top number in the reading. The sound continues until it stops. This marks the diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number in the reading.
What are ideal blood pressure systole and diastole numbers?
According to the American Heart Association, an ideal and healthy blood pressure means a systolic pressure of less than 120 and diastolic pressure of less than 80.
How To Check Your Blood Pressure At Home
The simplest way to measure your blood pressure at home is to use an automated cuff, which you can purchase online or at most drugstores. The American Heart Association recommends this method.
Your blood pressure provides clues about how hard your heart is working to pump blood through your arteries. It's one of your body's vital signs.
High blood pressure, known in medical terms as hypertension, can be harmful to your health in many ways. Over time, it can damage your vital organs, including your heart, kidneys, and brain. That's why it's important to monitor your blood pressure and take steps to manage it before it causes problems.
One way to keep track of your blood pressure is to monitor it at home using an automated blood pressure machine or by doing it manually. This article will walk you through how to check your blood pressure, along with tips to help ensure accurate readings.
What do numbers in blood pressure readings mean?Blood pressure measurements contain two different readings:
For example, you may see blood pressure written as 117/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). In that case, the systolic pressure is 117, and the diastolic pressure is 80.
The simplest way to measure your own blood pressure is to purchase an automated cuff. Automated blood pressure machines are easy to use and helpful if you have hearing impairments.
These types of blood pressure cuffs have a digital monitor that displays your blood pressure reading on a screen. You can purchase them online, at most grocery stores, or at a health food store.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an automated upper arm blood pressure monitor for at-home use. To use your digital blood pressure monitor, carefully follow the instructions that come with the monitor. You can also take the monitor to your doctor's office or local pharmacy for a demonstration.
It may also help to have a notebook to use as a blood pressure log. This can be helpful for your doctor. You can also download a free blood pressure log from the AHA.
Even if you check your blood pressure at home, your doctor will still want to check it during appointments.
Recalibrating automated blood pressure monitors
Automated blood pressure machines can give you a different reading than a manual blood pressure reading.
Bring your cuff to your next doctor's appointment so you can compare the reading from your cuff to the doctor's reading. This can help you calibrate your machine and identify the blood pressure levels you should look for on your own device.
Automated blood pressure monitors typically require recalibration at least every 2 years. Check your manufacturer's guidance for more details.
To manually take your blood pressure, you'll need:
If possible, enlist the help of a friend or family member because this method can be difficult to perform on your own.
A step-by-step guide to checking your blood pressure manuallyHere are the steps to taking your blood pressure manually at home:
Before checking your blood pressure at home, it's best to check first with a doctor or healthcare professional about how they'd like you to monitor and record it. For example, they may prefer you to check your blood pressure:
To get the most accurate blood pressure reading, remember the following tips:
Various automated models are available that take a blood pressure reading from your wrist or finger. While these are convenient and designed for easier use, they're less reliable than upper arm monitors.
The AHA does not recommend using wrist or finger monitors to check your blood pressure at home. These devices tend to give unreliable readings since the blood vessels in your wrist and finger are smaller and closer to your skin. They're also more prone to user error.
Experts generally consider "normal" blood pressure to be anything less than 120/80 mm Hg. However, what's "normal" can vary from person to person. Your personal blood pressure will depend on your:
Blood pressure chart
While everyone is different, the AHA recommends the following ranges for healthy adults:
It's important to remember that both your systolic and diastolic numbers need to be in the normal range for your blood pressure to be considered normal.
If one number falls into one of the other categories, doctors consider your blood pressure to be in that category. For example, a blood pressure reading of 115/92 would be stage 2 hypertension.
Although some apps promise to check your blood pressure without using equipment, this isn't an accurate or reliable method.
However, apps are available to help you track your blood pressure results. This can help a doctor identify patterns in your blood pressure and determine if you require blood pressure medications.
Some examples of free apps to monitor blood pressure include:
These apps can help you quickly and easily track your blood pressure readings. Measuring your blood pressure regularly on the same arm can help you most accurately track your blood pressure readings.
Monitoring your blood pressure can help you and your doctor identify any issues early on. If treatment is needed, it's better to start it early before damage has occurred in your arteries.
If you have consistently high blood pressure readings, talk with a healthcare professional to rule out hypertension. If you're already taking medication for your blood pressure, your doctor may adjust your medication or recommend additional treatments.
You can measure your blood pressure at home manually or by using an automated blood pressure cuff. The AHA recommends automated cuffs, which are easier to use and more highly available. The more complicated manual method involves using a stethoscope and a cuff with a squeezable balloon and aneroid monitor.
If you're unsure how to measure your blood pressure properly, a healthcare professional can show you how.
It's also important to share your blood pressure readings with a doctor, especially if the readings are outside of a normal range. This will help a doctor identify any issues early on and determine the right type of treatment for you.
Blood Pressure Out Of Control For Minnesotans
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High blood pressure is a nationwide concern and a costly health problem. Almost 67 million American adults have high blood pressure, and half of them do not have it under control. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S. And Minnesota, according to a Minnesota Department of Health press release.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report finding that nearly one in three adults (67 million) has high blood pressure and of those about half (36 million) have uncontrolled blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as having systolic blood pressure (top number) greater than or equal to 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) greater than or equal to 90 mmHg.
The latest CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report did not include Minnesota specific numbers. However, data from a separate national survey released in August found that 26 percent of adult Minnesotans report being told that they had high blood pressure, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.
As for treatment of the disease, in 2010 about 75 percent of Minnesotans aged 18-85 who received a diagnosis of hypertension and received treatment in a clinic had their blood pressure adequately controlled after diagnosis, according to Minnesota Community Measurement. This is an improvement upon Minnesota's 2008 rate of 69 percent.
"Though we're doing better than national averages in terms of preventing high blood pressure and treating it, we are really encouraging people to "know their numbers" and seek treatment in order to avoid a disabling stroke, heart attack, or even death," said Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota Commissioner of Health.
The Department of Health is combating high blood pressure by improving the quality of care in clinics and by encouraging healthy communities and healthy living. Minnesota has embraced team-based care in its clinics, which according to the CDC report, is one successful approach to controlling high blood pressure.
In 2008, Minnesota passed legislation allowing primary care clinics to voluntarily be certified as health care homes, which is a team-based clinical model that is particularly effective for caring for patients with diseases such as high blood pressure. With this approach, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dieticians, and community health workers can work together to identify and treat high blood pressure. About 2 million Minnesotans now receive care at certified health care homes.
In addition, the Minnesota Department of Health is combating high blood pressure by promoting changes in communities that promote healthy living, such as adding walking and biking paths, opening farmers markets, and adding smoking restrictions.
The department also addresses high blood pressure with worksite initiatives that focus on helping employees "know their numbers." The goal is to make the healthy choice the easy choice, so Minnesotans can lower their risk of developing high blood pressure by eating fruits and vegetables, consuming less salt, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.
To learn more about high blood pressure in Minnesota visit, the MDH blood pressure page or Minnesota's state plan to combat heart disease and stroke. To learn more about national efforts, visit www.Cdc.Gov/bloodpressure/.
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