Q: I am 57 years old female and I have had hypertension for several years. 2 years ago my grandson died and I had heart failure. I was diagnosed with broken heart syndrome and spent eleven days in ICU at the heart institute. I have fully recovered but continue to take medication for my high blood pressure. My question concerns why there is such a spread in my pressure readings. Typically the systolic number ranges from 154 to as low as 130, however the Diastolic reading can range from 70 down to 53. I am curious as to why the top number is still on the high side and the bottom number is on the low side.
A: Your blood pressure readings suggest you have systolic high blood pressure. This is the type of high blood pressure that is more common as people get older. Blood pressure medicines lower both numbers. The trick in treating systolic high blood pressure is to lower your systolic pressure without causing too low of a diastolic pressure. Your readings demonstrate this problem.
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May I ask what is the trick to systolic high without causing diastolic too low? –
The answer to the question was never answered . I am not a Dr and I could have given that answer .
my name ,peter *I control my blood pressure with enalapril 10 mg.and I´M OK.IAM ALWAYS ON 120/80.WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS? THANK A LOT .PETER
While I may have a high diastolic read sometimes, I’ve seen a trend over the years of my systolic being more consistently high than my diastolic read. I do take meds. I found that moderate to heavy physical exercise, whether at the local health club or working around my home bring both my readings well within normal range. A combination of exercise and meds might help. Talk to an MD before starting any exercise program.
I also have this condition at age 68 … My sytolic can run from 124 up to 158 while my diastolic runs 55 to 69.
I have asked this question a few times and come to the conclusion that either (A) nobody knows much about this or (B) it is really quite natural and nothing to worry about. Judging from the answer given above nothing has changed.
as we get older thare can be a difference between the two numbers. it is common part of our aging process. here a site that might help to unerstand.
the botton number is disatolic. it show the blood as it is flowing thru the body when it is relaxed ( by this i mean when the heart is in between pumping) and the top number show how hard the heart is working when it is pumping and moving the flow of blood.
diastolic is the way the blood is flowing around the body to various organs andas it removes wastes. As we age our veins and arteries pick up substance that alter the flow of blood. Think of it as a pipe or hose, run something like carmel thru it and some of it is bound to stick to the inner wals of the pipe or hose and accumlate block the flow. diastolic lower than 60 means that the cells might not be getting the blood flow it need to survive. http://blood-pressure.emedtv.com/diastolic-blood-pressure/diastolic-blood-pressure-p2.html
I’ve asked my doctor about this several times and never seem to get an answer which probably means it isn’t an issue or they don’t have a clue as to what to do about it. I’ve read if Diastolic goes too low from medication it can put the individual at risk for sudden cardiac death.
Go to another doctor..
You got it right the second time……….they don’t have a clue.
The difference between systolic and diastolic is the pulse pressure pp.
Ideally this should be as close to 40 as possible.
As people age the pp often becomes larger (wider), this is often an indication of atherosclerosis- furring of the arteries.
I have heard of ‘Isolated Systolic Hypertension’ as a condition common in older adults where the top figure is high but the lower figure normal or low.
Seems younger people with hypertension are more likely to have both figures elevated at the same time eg 140/90 whereas older people are more likely to see the 160/65 type figures with the isolated hypertension and wide pulse pressure.
A stressed young person may be eating too much fat and salty junk food, not exercising enough and generally stressed whilst an older person simply has stiffer, harder furred up arteries.
Two rather different pictures of high blood pressure.
Dont worry too much about this atherosclerosis/hardening it is common in older adults and usually stable, furring in middle age adults is more of a problem – that can tend to be unstable leading to sudden heart attacks.
Yes same problem here, have managed to get lower reading down from 100-110 to 70-80 with cutting out salt , resperate etc but the upper one seems stick at 150-170, very frustrating, any ideas ??
Thanks
Oli
i have tried cinnamon and honey one tsp of cinnamon to 2 tsp honey in a glass of water hot or cold which has helped
Far Infrared Sauna…….
All the best!
I also have this high pulse pressure, and have done some study of it. This hardening of the arteries is a serious matter, it eventually will lead to strokes. The problem is that not much can be done about it, other than leading a healthy lifestyle….which is probably the most important thing any of us can do.
I am my late 80’s on heart medication and I find the systolic is the number harder to control. My cardiologist told me 140 systolic is acceptable for my age (as opposed to the 120 when younger)and the fact that my dystolic stays in the 60’s and 70’s. I also have 2 stents so that is a factor as well for me. I’m eager to hear what works for others.
Systolic bp at 140 is very good. 150mm is even better at your age. Your physician seems to be on top of the latest research.
I believe a combination of pomegranate juice (pure – not ‘pomegranate drink’), strong dark high cocoa content chocolate and something called Glisodin are supposed to be able to reverse atherosclerosis to some degree.
There are studies showing reversal in arterial plaque with this combination, mostly focussing on plaque in the carotid artery of the neck.
Also, statins have been shown to reverse arterial blockages, these have side effects though and anyone who takes them should take a lot of Co-Enzyme Q10 supplements to avoid heart failure.
You may want to add vit K in the form of MK-7 which removes the calcium from your arteries and deposits it in the bones where it belongs.
I believe you don’t want to take pomegranate juice while on statins.
The statins are toxic poisons to our bodies. I strongly prefer pure fish oil and ubiquinol (not ubiqunone), Pomegranate is a natural ace inhibitor as is cocoa, and cocoa is also a vasodilator.
Large doses of fish oil can actually remove plaque from our arteries.
All the best!
I wonder if Fish oil does it as effectively as statins do. I’ve read that plant based diets can essentially do what statins can do in terms of cholesterol lowering.
A television presenter and author, Joel Fuhrman,M.D., recently said that lower-than-typical diastolic readings are of significance, and indicate weakness in heart muscle that may lead to heart attack. His recommendation, too, is to adopt as healthy a lifestyle (including nutrition) as possible, which he talks and writes books about.
Paul, I just viewed two of Dr. Fuhrmans specials on PBS recently also and just read his books. He specifically states BP medications do little good since they do not remove the cause and do not increase mortality. Moreover they can cause Diastolic pressure to drop too low which increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and possibly atrial fibrillation. He emphasized that we need to be vigilant about avoiding the cause of disease through superior nutrition and not rely on doctors and medicine.
I could not agree more!
My experience was like this. I am very fit and active , play sports and exercise although 75. My wife has a sphygmowhatsisname, so i thought Id look. 160/70.
There was a slight murmur and the echogram showed aortal valve regurgitation ( some flows backward through a slightly defective valve). Obviously when the heart muscle relaxes, the integrity of this valve tries to maintain some residual pressure- the diastolic value. I have worked on bilge pumps – I know this stuff.
I have reduced the systolic to around 125-140 / 65 with Diovan and the doctor tells me chances are something else will get me before this valve gives out.
( He has a very comforting bedside manner)
I am not a candidate for the pigs aortal valve replacement job, as pork gives me terrible indigestion.
I had read in prevention magazine that drinking 1 oz of POMegrante juice daily for 1 year will lower your systolic by 20%. I have been drinking the juice for 3 months now. Last time I checked it was down 4 points but then it goes up and down anyways?? I also eat two squares of dark chocolate every day and drink 2 5 oZ cans of low sodium V8 juice every day.You can try all these and watch the numbers,however your numbers may go up just from worrying about your numbers. My wifeee systolic had went to 180/70 and her doctor added Lisinopril 20 Mg and it got both numbers down 140/60.over time both numbers kept going down so we cut the Lisinpril to 10 Mg and dropped one of her Beta-blockers. Don’t give up there is something that works for everybody.
What a great conversation! I am 80 and after reading all of this I feel not too bad at 140 to 160 over 70. But I find that if I exercise (walking for about two miles, my systolic will drop from 160 to 140. But my heart rate will go up from 90 to 114 at the same time. Anyone understand the relationship between higher heart rate and lower blood pressure?
Jerry, you’ve essentially witnessed the same things as I have. There is no ryme or reason to all the natural things they say help BP. I too have tried Pom, dark chocolate and Resperate and noticed very little change either way.
My husband has ‘aortic insufficiency’, has had this for over 10 years. Has an echo every year, and it hasn’t changed much. His systolic bp runs around 155/55 or 60. His Cardiologist says it’s because of the valve problem, but is not at all concerned and at the present time, he takes a statin,co
Oops, hit the enter key too soon. Anyway, takes a statin, CQ10 and blood pressure meds. His Dr. seems satisfied with these readings.
I believe that my experiment with diet may be of help. In late April my wife and I started on an aggressive diet following recipes provided in the “Engine 2” diet book which basically is a rather aggressive Vegan diet. Since then both SYS. and DIASTOLIC have decreased significantly and the doctor has reduced all three of myBP meds, Diovan, amylodipine and attenolol by one-half and my Lipitor from 80 mg to twenty. My objective is to get off all meds and depend on RESPeRate and diet for control. Also, went from 181 lbs to 162. And, what my wife prepares food-wise, I love. No sacrifice at all. Gene
I tend to have the opposite problem–normal systolic but borderline-high diastolic (upper number usually in the 110-120 range, lower number sometimes in the 70’s but often, in the 80’s)–my doctor has me monitoring because he says the 80’s diastolic is “borderline high.”
Comments/advice?