Blood pressure is a measurement of the force blood exerts against the walls of your arteries as it circulates throughout your body. It is reported with two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number), which represents the pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood, and diastolic pressure (the bottom number), which indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. Both numbers are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Understanding these readings is foundational to assessing cardiovascular health, and a specific relationship, “wide blood pressure,” offers further insights into your circulatory system.
What is Wide Blood Pressure?
“Wide blood pressure” refers to a significant difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, a measurement known as pulse pressure. Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure (e.g., 120/80 mmHg yields a pulse pressure of 40 mmHg).
A typical or healthy pulse pressure generally ranges between 40 and 60 mmHg. A pulse pressure is considered “wide” when this difference is consistently greater than 60 mmHg. Some sources suggest a wide pulse pressure is 100 mmHg or over.
Why Blood Pressure Widens
The most common reason for a widened pulse pressure is increased arterial stiffness. Arteries naturally become less elastic and stiffer with age, a process known as arteriosclerosis. This stiffening means the arteries are less able to absorb the force of blood pumped from the heart during systole, leading to a higher systolic pressure.
This loss of elasticity can also cause diastolic pressure to decrease, further widening the gap between the two readings. Beyond aging, certain medical conditions can contribute to a wide pulse pressure by increasing the volume of blood pumped by the heart or affecting the heart’s valves. For example, aortic regurgitation, where the aortic valve doesn’t close properly, can lead to increased systolic and decreased diastolic pressure. Other factors include severe anemia and hyperthyroidism.
Addressing Wide Blood Pressure
A consistently wide pulse pressure can indicate deteriorating cardiovascular health and is associated with an increased risk for various adverse health outcomes. These include a higher risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, kidney disease, and cognitive decline. A pulse pressure greater than 50 mmHg or 60 mmHg may increase the risk of heart disease, particularly for older adults. A 10 mmHg increase in pulse pressure can raise the risk of heart disease by up to 20%.
Diagnosis typically involves regular blood pressure monitoring. Management strategies often focus on lifestyle modifications to control overall blood pressure and address any underlying conditions. This includes adopting a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, maintaining a moderate weight, and engaging in regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Quitting smoking and managing stress also play significant roles in improving cardiovascular health.
When lifestyle changes are not sufficient, medical interventions may be necessary. Healthcare professionals might prescribe medications to lower blood pressure, which can also help reduce a wide pulse pressure. Some studies suggest that thiazide diuretics and long-acting nitrates may be effective in managing wide pulse pressure. The specific treatment approach will depend on the individual’s overall health and the underlying causes identified.