Hi all,

I am trying to get a sense of what the relationship between BP and arteriosclerosis is. I have read that high BP may mean you have it, as the BP rises when forced through narrowed arteries. Yet I have also read that LOW BP readings in an arm may indicate arterial blockage in the arm.

My own BP has dropped (due to serious lifestyle changes) from 150s/90s to today's low of 113/70. I know that's good, but I wonder if it indicates anything at all about my arteries?

acp

acp,

That relationship is a millon dollar question that, I think, has NOT been properly answered, just talked around.
Most medical pundits say that hypertension causes coronary heart disease but they are not able to give a convincing mechanism.

What is pretty clear is that as we age, out arteries STIFFEN. This stiffness resists the pulse of blood at systolic and this forces a higher pressure because the arteries cannot expland like soft rubber but tend to resist more like copper pipe. :D
This stiffening is a whole body experience with the totality of the millions of small vessels probably more responsible than stiffening of the larger arteries.
This generalized arterial stifffening is related to but not necessarily the same thing as partial blockages which are more localized phenomenon.
Yes, blockage of a MAIN artery will result in a marked drop in downstream pressure but an INCREASE in upstream pressure. Yes, low BP in an arm or leg may indicate compromised flow in a major artery.

A MAJOR problem I have with medical jargon is when I hear over and over that "lowering BP with medication" will prevent coronary artery disease...I think this is erroneous information no matter HOW often it is repeated. It is not logical and, like Spock, I firmly believe that if it is not logical it is probably not true.

That's not to say that high BP won't cause or aggravate other serious heart conditions, primarily cardiomyopathy, remodelling, or heart failure, among others.

But NOT plaque formation.

My own BP has dropped (due to serious lifestyle changes) from 150s/90s to today's low of 113/70. I know that's good, but I wonder if it indicates anything at all about my arteries?
I don't think anyone can say for sure because BP is dependent on so many variables, primarily hormone regulation, fluid volume, involuntary muscle contraction/relaxation. My guess is that your arteries are probably much the same now as before, but this is only a guess.
BUT for sure, your KIDNEYS are having an easier tiime of it...no small benefit because end stage kidney disease is becoming more and more of an issue as the population ages.