Pulse Pressure. - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

marantz1935 · 03-05-2008, 08:51 AM

Hi again folks,

Just found out lately about pulse pressure. PP is the difference between systolic and diastolic values. In other words, 120 over 80 = 40. Or 140 over 90 = 50.

I keep track of my BP every morning, and have started to include a margin specially for PP. They are saying now that pulse pressure is probably a more accurate predictor of future heart problems. I read also that PP ought to be kept below 60. I don't know a whole lot more about it, but thought it might be of interest to fellow posters.

Marantz.

sunshine123 · 03-05-2008, 06:24 PM

Thanks for posting. I've never heard of that. I wonder if my Dr. has.

tamuprof45 · 03-06-2008, 05:40 AM

The key is your consistent pulse pressure over a lot of readings. For example, someone might be normally 120/80, but anxiety could cause their systolic to shoot up to 140, 160, etc, while the diastolic stays the same, leading to a "false positive" re pulse pressure.

Pulse pressure is primarily an issue for the elderly and/or those with known arterial dysfunction problems, e.g. hardening, stiffening of the arteries. Worth keeping an eye on, as a consistent PP over 50 is considered worrisome, but unless you have arterial issues, probably nothing to be concerned about.

tamuprof45