What is “Pulse Pressure” and Why is it Important?
Although most people are not even aware of what it actually is, “pulse pressure” is a better predictor of cardiovascular disease than is mean arterial pressure, according to a new report. Another study found that the two measures are equally predictive of cerebrovascular complications in patients with high blood pressure. The measurement of pulse pressure is the difference of the two blood pressure measurements — the systolic (the higher number) and diastolic (the lower number). The systolic pressure is the highest arterial blood pressure of a cardiac cycle, which occurs immediately after the contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. The diastolic pressure is the lowest arterial blood pressure of a cardiac cycle occurring during the expansion or dilation of the cavities of the heart during which they fill with blood. • Researchers collected data on nearly 8000 older patients with high blood pressure in three separate trials. • They then calculated the relative risks associated w
