Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (Cont.)

Low Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

If the systolic and diastolic blood pressures are too low (known as hypotension or low blood pressure), the blood is not able to bring oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells and remove waste matter. This may cause the cells to die. Blood pressure is considered low when the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are below 90/60.
 

High Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

If a person's systolic and diastolic blood pressures are both too high, he or she has high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension. Hypertension is defined as having an average systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading higher than 140/90. If only the systolic blood pressure is higher than 140, the person has a condition referred to as isolated systolic hypertension.
 
In people with high systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the small blood vessels in the vital organs are most affected over time. These blood vessels become scarred, hardened, and less elastic, meaning that they are more likely to get blocked or rupture (leading to organ damage or even organ failure). This may happen as you get older, whether or not your blood pressure is too high, but high systolic and diastolic blood pressures can hasten this process. Maintaining normal systolic and diastolic blood pressures is an important part of reducing the risk of:
 

Borderline Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressures

If the systolic and diastolic blood pressures are between 120/80 and 140/90, the person has a condition called prehypertension.
 

What Affects Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressures?

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures change frequently throughout the course of a day. Within only a few minutes, systolic and diastolic blood pressures can change within only a few minutes based on factors such as:
 
  • Nicotine use
  • Level of exercise
  • Amount of tension
  • Posture.
     
Because of these changes, it's best to use multiple blood pressure readings to figure out your average systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
 
It's important to look at your overall health, lifestyle, diet, and family history when comparing your systolic and diastolic blood pressures to what many people consider normal. These factors may cause you to have a higher or lower blood pressure than what's generally considered normal.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD