Blood pressure readings have long been a basic health check. You’ve likely heard it explained as two numbers—the higher “systolic” number and the lower “diastolic” one.
For a long time, doctors have paid more attention to the systolic number when assessing health risks. But a new large-scale study suggests that both numbers are crucial for predicting heart disease and stroke.
Understanding the Two Numbers
The systolic pressure, the top number in a reading, is the force when the heart is pumping blood.
The diastolic pressure, the bottom number, measures the pressure between heartbeats when the heart is filling back up with blood.
Earlier research primarily focused on high systolic pressure as a key sign of health issues like heart disease or stroke. This led some doctors to think that the diastolic reading wasn’t as important.
What the Big Study Revealed
Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare organization, did a comprehensive study using over 36 million blood pressure readings. These readings were taken from 1.3 million adults in Northern California between 2007 and 2016.
What they found is that both systolic and diastolic pressures are important indicators of heart disease and stroke risk. While the systolic pressure does have a larger impact, the diastolic number can’t be ignored.
This finding was consistent whether the definition of high blood pressure was the traditional 140/90 mm Hg or the newer, stricter standard of 130/80 mm Hg.
The new findings give added weight to recent changes in guidelines, suggesting that closer blood pressure control is needed, especially for people at higher risk of heart issues.
What It Means for You
So, what does all of this mean for you and your health? The researchers say that both the top and bottom numbers in your blood pressure reading matter.
Lower readings are generally better, especially for people who are at higher risk for heart disease or stroke.
These new insights could be a game-changer in how doctors diagnose and treat people with high blood pressure.
It emphasizes that it’s not enough to just look at one number, and it underscores the importance of keeping both numbers in a healthy range to reduce risks of heart disease or stroke.
This groundbreaking study, led by Alexander C. Flint, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It’s a reminder that as science evolves, so does our understanding of what it takes to maintain good health.
Both systolic and diastolic pressures are important—another reason to keep a close eye on your blood pressure readings and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
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