Blood pressure is a measurement consisting of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic pressure, the upper number, indicates the force of blood against artery walls when the heart beats. The diastolic pressure, the lower number, represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
What Pulse Pressure Means
Pulse pressure is the numerical difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. For example, if a blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg, the pulse pressure is 40 mmHg. A normal pulse pressure typically falls within the range of 40 to 60 mmHg, with 40 mmHg often considered ideal. When this difference consistently exceeds 60 mmHg, it is generally defined as a “widened pulse pressure.” Some sources consider a pulse pressure over 100 mmHg to be truly widened.
Factors Leading to Widened Pulse Pressure
Several medical and physiological factors contribute to a widened pulse pressure. A common cause is arterial stiffness, often resulting from aging and conditions like atherosclerosis, where arteries become less flexible. As arteries stiffen, systolic pressure tends to increase while diastolic pressure may decrease, leading to a wider gap.
Certain medical conditions can also lead to a widened pulse pressure. Anemia, particularly iron deficiency anemia, can cause this by reducing blood viscosity and making the heart work harder. Hyperthyroidism also contributes to increased systolic pressure and a wider pulse pressure. Aortic regurgitation, a condition where the heart’s aortic valve does not close properly, causes blood to flow backward, decreasing diastolic pressure and increasing systolic pressure, leading to a widened pulse pressure.
Why Widened Pulse Pressure Matters for Your Health
A widened pulse pressure serves as an indicator of underlying cardiovascular issues and carries significant health implications. It frequently signals increased arterial stiffness, which affects how effectively blood flows through the body.
A consistently widened pulse pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. For example, every 10 mmHg increase in pulse pressure can raise the risk of coronary artery disease by 23%. It also correlates with an elevated risk of heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation and can contribute to kidney damage.
Addressing Widened Pulse Pressure
Addressing a widened pulse pressure begins with consulting a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and to identify any underlying causes. Management strategies primarily involve treating these root conditions, such as managing high blood pressure or addressing thyroid issues. No specific medications are approved solely to lower pulse pressure, but some antihypertensive drugs can modestly reduce it.
Lifestyle modifications also play a role in improving overall cardiovascular health and can help manage pulse pressure. These include adopting a heart-healthy diet, like the DASH diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sodium and added sugars. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and getting adequate sleep are beneficial.