Study confirms that both blood pressure values can predict the risk of heart disease
Blood pressure measurements have long been part of the basic health checks. You’ve probably heard before that there are two numbers – the higher “systolic” number and the lower “diastolic” number.
When assessing health risks, doctors have long paid more attention to the systolic value. But a new large-scale study suggests both numbers are crucial in predicting heart disease and stroke.
Understand the two numbers
The systolic pressure, the top number of a measurement, is the force with which the heart pumps blood.
Diastolic pressure, the bottom number, measures the pressure between heartbeats as the heart refills with blood.
Previous research has mainly focused on high systolic pressure as a key symptom of health problems such as heart disease or stroke. This led some doctors to believe that diastolic readings were not that important.
What the big study revealed
Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare organization, conducted a comprehensive study of over 36 million blood pressure readings. These readings were taken from 1.3 million adults in Northern California between 2007 and 2016.
They found that both systolic and diastolic pressure are important indicators of heart disease and stroke risk. While systolic pressure has a greater impact, diastolic pressure cannot be ignored.
This finding was consistent whether the definition of hypertension was the traditional 140/90 mm Hg or the newer, more stringent standard of 130/80 mm Hg.
The new findings add weight to recent guideline changes and suggest that tighter blood pressure control is needed, especially in people at higher risk of heart problems.
what it means to you
What does all this mean for you and your health? Researchers say that both the high and low of your blood pressure matter.
Lower levels are generally better, especially for people who are at higher risk of heart disease or stroke.
These new findings could fundamentally change the way doctors diagnose and treat people with high blood pressure.
It emphasizes that just looking at one number is not enough and underscores the importance of keeping both numbers within a healthy range to reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.
This landmark study, led by Alexander C. Flint, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It’s a reminder that as science advances, so does our understanding of what it takes to maintain good health.
Both systolic and diastolic pressure are important — another reason to keep a close eye on your blood pressure readings and discuss any concerns with your doctor.
If you are concerned about blood pressure, please read studies on blood pressure medications that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas may help lower high blood pressure.
For more health information, see recent studies on nutrients that can greatly reduce high blood pressure. The results show that this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessel aging by 20 years.
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