Blood pressure readings always come with two numbers.
The top number is called systolic pressure, and it shows how much force your heart uses to pump blood into your arteries.
The bottom number is diastolic pressure, which tells you the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.
A new study from the University of Southern Denmark looked into which of these numbers is more important when it comes to predicting heart health—and the answer depends on your age.
Traditionally, doctors used both systolic and diastolic pressure to figure out your risk for heart disease. But in recent years, many have focused more on systolic pressure, especially in older adults. That’s because high systolic pressure is linked to a greater chance of heart problems, strokes, and even early death.
This new research analyzed 26 years of health records from over 107,000 people aged 19 to 97 who were free from heart disease when the study began. Over time, some of these individuals experienced heart-related issues like heart attacks, strokes, or died from heart conditions.
The findings confirmed that systolic pressure is a strong predictor of heart risk at any age. Whether you are young or old, male or female, high systolic pressure increases your chances of having heart problems.
But here’s what’s new: for people under the age of 50, diastolic pressure—the lower number—also matters a lot. While systolic pressure remains important, the study showed that younger adults with higher diastolic pressure were at greater risk for developing heart disease later in life.
This suggests that both numbers should be considered when evaluating heart health in younger people. Ignoring diastolic pressure in this age group might mean missing an early warning sign.
The researchers also highlighted the value of a measurement called mean arterial pressure, or MAP.
This is the average pressure in your arteries during one heartbeat and is calculated using both systolic and diastolic numbers. MAP was found to be a good predictor of heart risk and death in all age groups, making it another useful tool for doctors.
Understanding blood pressure is more important than ever. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. It’s defined as having a systolic reading of 130 or higher, or a diastolic reading of 80 or above.
And it’s not just older people who need to worry. According to the CDC, more than one in five adults aged 18 to 39 already have high blood pressure. That’s why it’s so important for young people to monitor their blood pressure and make healthy lifestyle choices.
Eating a balanced diet, staying active, limiting salt and alcohol, and managing stress can all help keep your blood pressure in check. For those who already have high readings, medication may be necessary, and it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice closely.
This study, led by Dr. Michael Hecht Olsen and published in the journal Hypertension, could help improve future treatment guidelines. By paying attention to both blood pressure numbers—and considering a person’s age—doctors can better prevent heart problems before they start.
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