What Your Blood Pressure Really Says About Your Heart

What Does the Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Number Mean?

It can be easy to forget exactly what the numbers mean. Systolic (the first number) refers to the amount of pressure created when your heart contracts and pushes blood through the arteries. While Diastolic (the second number) refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries while your heart is at rest.

These numbers are strong indicators of how hard your heart is working while you’re at rest and if you potentially have a lot of bad cholesterol or fat blocking your arteries. The normal systolic should be below 120. If your systolic is between 120-139 then you’re considered pre-hypertension and should consider altering your diet and exercise, to alleviate the strain on your heart muscle. If your systolic number is above 140, then you have hypertension and should work closely with your doctor to manage your treatment.

New Research About Getting Both Arms Checked?

YES! According to a recent study published in the March edition of the American Journal of Medicine by Harvard Instructor Ido Weinberg, M.D., if there is more than a 10 point difference between each arm of your systolic blood pressure, you could be at a great risk for a heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. “About 10 percent of adults over 40 had interarm differences of more than 10 points – and this point spread was associated with an almost 40 percent increase in risk of heart attack, stroke, or another cardiovascular event.”

According to Dr. Weinberg, “This study supports the potential value of identifying the interarm systolic blood pressure difference as a simple clinical indicator of increased cardiovascular risk.”

Since 2005, the American Heart Association’s blood pressure screening guidelines have recommended taking blood pressure readings in both arms as a baseline reading. And it’s possible that the nurses, PAs, even physicians forgot about this as they left school and began practicing medicine.

While this may be scary news for some people who haven’t had their blood pressure checked in a while, it could also be a great talking point for the next time you visit your doctor and to open up further conversations to help you take more control of your care.

If you are in the Baltimore area and would like your blood pressure checked or to learn more, make an appointment with Just Heart Cardiovascular group with Dr. Camellus Ezwegu today!
Best,

Just Heart Cardiovascular Group