Let's find out about your pulse pressure. Why is this important for heart health?

Have you ever taken your blood pressure, or "pressure" as we all call it, and only looked at the top and bottom numbers on the report? Many people do. But did you know that the "difference" or gap between those two numbers also gives us very important clues about the health of your heart and blood vessels? That gap is what we call "Pulse Pressure" in medicine. You may not have heard this term before. But don't worry, it's very simple. Today we'll talk about it all clearly, as if we were talking to a friend.

Simply put, what is Pulse Pressure?

Pulse pressure is the difference between the two readings when you measure your blood pressure. It's very simple.

When you measure your pressure, you get two numbers, right?

1. The top number: This is called the systolic pressure. This measures the maximum pressure inside your blood vessels when your heart beats and pumps blood to your body.

2. Bottom number: This is called the diastolic pressure. This measures the minimum pressure inside the blood vessels when the heart has finished beating and is relaxing for a moment to fill with blood again.

Pulse pressure is found as follows: Subtract the bottom number (Diastolic) from the top number (Systolic).

Imagine your blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. (mmHg is the unit of measurement for blood pressure).

Then your pulse pressure will be: 120 - 80 = 40 mmHg .

The average pulse pressure for a healthy adult is around 40 mmHg . It's normal for this value to increase slightly as we age. However, sometimes, too high or too low a value can be a sign of a problem with your cardiovascular system before symptoms appear.

Why does my pulse pressure change when I check my blood pressure every few minutes?

This is a problem that many people have. Yes, it is completely normal for your blood pressure and pulse pressure to fluctuate slightly from moment to moment. There is no need to worry about it.

Think about it, when you breathe, when you change your position, and depending on the time of day, the amount of blood your heart pumps changes slightly. This causes small changes in pressure, about 5 mmHg to 10 mmHg. That's why the pulse pressure also seems to change slightly. It's not a big problem. We only need to be concerned if this value continues to be abnormal.

What does "wide pulse pressure" mean?

A wide pulse pressure is when the gap between the top number and the bottom number of your blood pressure is very "wide". Simply put, it's when your pulse pressure is consistently higher than a value like 50 mmHg or 60 mmHg.

Imagine that someone's blood pressure is 140/80 mmHg.

Then the Pulse Pressure = 140 - 80 = 60 mmHg. This is higher than the normal value.

Why is this happening?

As we age, the flexibility of our blood vessels gradually decreases, and they become a little "stiff". It's like a new rubber tube that becomes stiff over time and no longer bends. We call this condition atherosclerosis . People with diabetes and kidney disease can also have their blood vessels stiffen quickly.

When blood vessels become stiff, the blood vessels do not allow the pressure to be released when the heart beats and pumps blood (Systolic). Therefore, the top number increases significantly. Similarly, when the heart relaxes (Diastolic), the pressure drops rapidly due to the stiffened blood vessels. Therefore, the bottom number decreases. Then the gap between the top number and the bottom number becomes larger.

What are the risks of high pulse pressure?

A persistently high pulse pressure in someone who is not very physically active may be a sign of future health problems.

• The risk of heart disease increases.
• The risk of stroke increases.
• Heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmia) may occur.
• People with diseases like diabetes are at increased risk of eye and kidney damage.

However, the pulse pressure of skilled athletes, especially long-distance runners, may be higher. That is not a problem. Because their hearts are healthy and well-developed, they pump more blood per beat than the average person. That is a healthy characteristic.

What does "narrow pulse pressure" mean?

A narrow pulse pressure is when the gap between the top number and the bottom number is very "narrow". Generally, if the pulse pressure is less than a quarter of your top number (systolic), we consider it a narrow pulse pressure.

For example, let's say someone's blood pressure is 100/85 mmHg.

Then the Pulse Pressure = 100 - 85 = 15 mmHg.

This value of 15 is less than one-fourth (25) of the number above, 100. Therefore, this is a Narrow Pulse Pressure.

Why is this happening?

This condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood. There can be several reasons for this:

• Heart failure after a heart attack.
• A large amount of blood loss from the body due to an accident.
• Cardiac tamponade is a condition in which fluid accumulates around the heart, preventing the heart from working properly.

In this case, the top number (Systolic) drops because the heart can't pump blood as hard. But the body tries to maintain pressure by constricting the blood vessels to supply blood to vital organs. So the bottom number (Diastolic) doesn't drop as much. Then the gap between the top number and the bottom number becomes very small.

You can get a clearer understanding of this from the table below.

Why is it so important to control pulse pressure?

It is very important to manage your pulse pressure properly, because a high pulse pressure means that either your heart is working harder than usual, or your blood vessels are narrowed, or both.

Both of these factors greatly increase your risk of developing a serious condition like a heart attack or stroke . This risk is especially high for people over the age of 55. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of this and take the necessary steps.

What can I do to keep my pulse pressure at a good level?

Controlling your pulse pressure is really just about controlling your overall blood pressure. There are a few simple, yet very effective things you can do to help.

• Get a medical checkup at least once a year: High blood pressure is a "silent killer" that often doesn't show any symptoms. So if you want to catch a problem before it gets worse, see your doctor and get regular checkups.
• Adopt a nutritious diet: Reduce foods high in salt and fat as much as possible. It is best to limit your salt intake to one teaspoon (5-6 grams) per day. Include vegetables, fruits, and greens in your diet.
• Be active: Get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, such as walking, running, or cycling. These are great for your heart and circulation.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption is a major cause of high blood pressure, so it is essential to control it.
• Know your risks: If anyone in your family has high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, or heart disease, tell your doctor so he or she can give you special advice.
• Use the prescribed medication exactly as prescribed: If your doctor has prescribed medication for your blood pressure, never skip it. Don't skip taking your medication thinking, "Today is going to be good for you." Take the prescribed dose at the exact time.
• Measure your blood pressure at home: If possible, buy a blood pressure monitor that you can use at home. Measure your blood pressure at least two to three times a week and write it down. This will give you a better understanding of your blood pressure changes.

When should I talk to a doctor about this?

If you regularly check your blood pressure at home, and you notice that your pulse pressure is consistently above 60 mmHg , or if you notice that it is very low (narrow) , you should definitely see your doctor and talk about it.

Sometimes you may feel confused when the top number of your blood pressure is high and the bottom number is low. The best way to know for sure if this is normal aging or a sign of another health problem is to talk to your doctor. He or she will use your pulse pressure reading to find out more about the health of your heart and blood vessels.

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