A new large, new study confirms that the bloodpressure bottom number is important, too.
HealthDay News -- When it comes to blood pressure readings, the"top" number seems to grab all the attention.But a large, new study confirms that the blood pressure bottom number is important, too.
At the same time, though, doctors measure both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and treatment guidelines are based on both. So just how important is that diastolic number? "There's been a common belief that systolic blood pressure is the only one that matters," Flint said."But diastolic definitely matters."New England Journal of MedicineThe definition of high blood pressure has gotten a revamp in recent years. Guidelines issued in 2017 by the American College of Cardiology and other heart groups lowered the threshold for diagnosing the condition -- from the traditional 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80.
In addition, Watson said, high systolic blood pressure is more prevalent, because of natural changes in blood pressure as people age. In the latest study, cardiovascular risks rose with each"unit increase" in systolic pressure above 140, by about 18% on average. Meanwhile, each increase in diastolic blood pressure above 90 was tied to a 6% increase in heart disease and stroke risk.
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