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Blood Pressure: Systolic vs. Diastolic
This article discusses the current guidelines for blood pressure, focusing on both systolic and diastolic pressure, and the potential risks associated with excessively low diastolic pressure.
Greek
Greece
HealthMedical ResearchHeart HealthHypertensionBlood Pressure
Massachusetts General HospitalJama Network Open
Randall Zusman
- What are the risks associated with very low diastolic blood pressure?
- A diastolic pressure below 60 mmHg is linked to increased heart attack and stroke risk in high-risk individuals, contradicting the assumption that lower is always better.
- What are the potential causes and implications of low diastolic blood pressure?
- Low diastolic pressure may indicate insufficient blood flow to the heart, potentially due to blocked arteries; however, if the systolic pressure is controlled and there are no symptoms, it might not be a problem.
- What is considered ideal blood pressure, and what are the implications of lower systolic pressure?
- The ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg, with a lower systolic pressure potentially preventing more heart attacks and strokes, but only if dizziness isn't experienced.
- How should individuals with hypertension approach treatment, and what factors should be considered?
- Treatment for hypertension should be individualized, considering other health issues, medication sensitivities, and potential side effects like dizziness, aiming to lower systolic pressure below 130 mmHg without causing adverse effects.
- What is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and why is one often prioritized over the other?
- Doctors and patients often focus on systolic pressure (pressure during contraction), while diastolic pressure (pressure during rest) is equally important and related to blood flow to the coronary arteries.