What is Normal Diastolic Pressure?
Diastolic pressure is one of the two numbers that make up the blood pressure reading, with the other being systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure measures the force of blood against your artery walls when your heart is at rest, between beats. A normal diastolic pressure is considered to be less than 80 mmHg, but what does this number mean and why is it important?
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Before we dive into what a normal diastolic pressure is, it's important to understand what blood pressure readings mean. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is represented by two numbers, such as 120/80 mmHg. The top number, or systolic pressure, measures the force of blood against your artery walls when your heart beats. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, measures the force of blood against your artery walls when your heart is at rest between beats.
A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg or lower is considered to be normal. If your blood pressure reading is higher than this, it may indicate hypertension (high blood pressure), which can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
What Causes High Diastolic Blood Pressure?
High diastolic blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Family history of hypertension
- Age
If you have high diastolic blood pressure, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as increasing your physical activity, losing weight, quitting smoking, and reducing your alcohol consumption. In some cases, medication may also be prescribed to help lower your blood pressure.
What Causes Low Diastolic Blood Pressure?
Low diastolic blood pressure can also be a cause for concern, as it may indicate an underlying health condition. Some possible causes of low diastolic blood pressure include:
- Dehydration
- Blood loss
- Infection
- Heart problems
- Endocrine disorders
- Allergic reactions
- Medications
If you have low diastolic blood pressure, your doctor will need to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
What Are the Symptoms of Abnormal Diastolic Blood Pressure?
In many cases, abnormal diastolic blood pressure may not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, if your blood pressure is extremely high or low, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away.
How Can You Monitor Your Blood Pressure?
One of the key ways to maintain healthy blood pressure is to monitor it regularly. You can do this at home using a blood pressure monitor, which can be purchased at most pharmacies or online retailers. To get an accurate reading, it's important to take your blood pressure at the same time every day, while sitting quietly with your feet flat on the floor and your arm at heart level.
If you have hypertension or other health conditions that require regular blood pressure monitoring, your doctor may recommend that you use an ambulatory blood pressure monitor, which you wear for 24 hours while going about your daily activities.
The Bottom Line
Normal diastolic pressure is an important indicator of overall health. If your diastolic pressure is consistently higher or lower than normal, it's important to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Regular blood pressure monitoring can help you maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and other health problems.
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