Question 1

how are systolic and diastolic similar?

Accepted Answer

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is related to the ability of the heart to pump blood and to the stiffness of the arteries.  The systolic blood pressure or "top number" is dependent on the hearts ablility to pump blood into the arteries.  The diastolic pressure or "bottom number" relates to the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes.  Both will increase as the artery wall becomes stiffer with age or plaque.

Question 2

is 133/67 good bp? is the diastolic low?

Accepted Answer

Probably: I would like to see your blood pressure below 120 systolic at your age.  If this measurement is the same on more than 2 occasions, you should consider measuring your own BP at home periodically since you are at risk of developing high blood pressure as you get older. Do note that blood pressure measured at the doctor's office tend to be higher , a condition known as "white coat hypertension.".

Question 3

what causes low diastolic but high systolic?

Accepted Answer

Wide pulse pressure: High systolic and low diastolic pressure is seen with aortic valve insufficiency and sometimes other conditions.

Question 4

what does it mean if your diastolic number is 53?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure: A diastolic pressure of 53mmhg could be normal, it could also indicate decreased peripheral vascular resistance or aortic insufficiency or several other things.

Question 5

which is more important--systolic or diastolic level?

Accepted Answer

Systolic : Generally systolic.  When systolic is high & untreated end organ damage can result & when too low people get dizzy.

Question 6

normal systolic but high diastolic only on first reading ?

Accepted Answer

Question vague but: When measuring blood pressure (BP) one gets two numbers - systolic is the pressure during the time the heart is contracting and diastolic is during the time it is relaxing. BP is recorded as systolic over diastolic . Diastolic hypertension is when the bottom number is elevated above its normal maximum of 80-90. In younger patients, diastolic hypertension may be related to worrisome outcomes.

Question 7

what's the safest and most effective drug for lowering diastolic bp?

Accepted Answer

Difficult: Most HTN pts require at least 3 different drugs to control hypertension. The guidelines recommend to start with low dose diuretics but it is ok to use calcium channel blockers like amlodipine or beta blockers like metoprolol.( especially if they have coronary disease or atrial fibrillation). Acei's like Lisinopril are also good for CHF and in diabetics. Arbs:diovan or losartan have good profile.

Question 8

bp consistently averages 110/90. how can i lower my diastolic number?

Accepted Answer

Lifestyle/meds: High diastolic (bottom) number is more typical of hypertension in young people. It causes the heart to work harder than it has to. Regular exercise, weight loss, meditation/mindfulness can lower it, along with dash diet. However, lifestyle changes take time. Every single beat of your heart at diastolic 90 is a strain. Consider starting med then taking it away as lifestyle improves.

Question 9

what exactly does it mean if your systolic is high and your diastolic is low?

Accepted Answer

=Wide Pulse Pressure: The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure is the pulse pressure.

A widened value, such as you are describing, may be due to a variety of causes such as aortic valve regurgitation, atherosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, an av malformation, head trauma, or medications.

Question 10

the systolic one is about 120.  the diastolic one is 90.  it's ok to too high?

Accepted Answer

140/90 normal: Systolic < 140 (130 for diabetics)   diastolic <90 (80 for diabetics).

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Doctor answers about:

My diastolic is 39

A member asked:

How are systolic and diastolic similar?

A member asked:

Is 133/67 good bp? is the diastolic low?

A member asked:

What causes low diastolic but high systolic?

A member asked:

What does it mean if your diastolic number is 53?

A member asked:

Which is more important--systolic or diastolic level?

A member asked:

Normal systolic but high diastolic only on first reading ?

A member asked:

What's the safest and most effective drug for lowering diastolic bp?

A member asked:

Bp consistently averages 110/90. how can i lower my diastolic number?

A member asked:

What exactly does it mean if your systolic is high and your diastolic is low?

A member asked:

The systolic one is about 120. the diastolic one is 90. it's ok to too high?

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