Most people know that blood pressure is important, but many are unsure what the two numbers on a blood pressure reading actually mean.
The top number is called systolic blood pressure, while the bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure. Together, they show how hard your heart and blood vessels are working.
Systolic pressure measures the force in your arteries when the heart pumps blood with each beat. Diastolic pressure measures the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
Doctors use both numbers to judge heart health because each provides different information.
A large new study from the University of Southern Denmark has examined which blood pressure number is the better predictor of future heart disease. The research was led by Dr. Michael Hecht Olsen and published in the journal Hypertension.
For many years, doctors have paid more attention to systolic blood pressure because it has been strongly linked to heart attacks, strokes, and early death. However, the new research suggests that focusing on only the top number may not tell the whole story.
The researchers followed the health of more than 107,000 adults between the ages of 19 and 97 for 26 years. None of the participants had heart disease when the study began. During the study, some developed heart attacks, strokes, or other serious heart problems, while others died from heart-related causes.
The results confirmed that systolic blood pressure is a powerful predictor of future heart disease in people of all ages. No matter a person’s age, sex, or other health conditions, a higher systolic reading was linked to a greater risk of heart problems.
The study also found that diastolic blood pressure should not be overlooked. In adults younger than 50, the bottom number provided extra information about future heart disease risk. This means younger people should pay attention to both numbers when checking their blood pressure.
The researchers also studied mean arterial pressure, or MAP, which combines both blood pressure numbers into one measurement. They found that MAP was also a strong indicator of future heart health, showing that both systolic and diastolic pressure contribute to overall risk.
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease around the world. It often develops without obvious symptoms, which is why it is sometimes called a silent condition. Regular blood pressure checks can help detect problems before serious complications develop.
Healthy lifestyle habits remain one of the best ways to control blood pressure. Eating a balanced diet, reducing salt, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress can all lower the risk of heart disease. Some people may also need medication if lifestyle changes are not enough.
This study shows that both blood pressure numbers are important. While the top number remains the strongest warning sign overall, the bottom number can provide valuable information, especially for younger adults. Paying attention to both numbers can help people protect their heart health and reduce their risk of serious disease.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about how diets could help lower high blood pressure, and 3 grams of omega-3s a day keep high blood pressure at bay.
For more health information, please see recent studies that beetroot juice could help reduce blood pressure, and results showing cinnamon could help lower high blood pressure.
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