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When you go to the doctor, you
might ask them about checking your pulse pressure. This is the
change in blood pressure during a single contraction of the
heart.
How do you find out a pulse
pressure? Normally, the pulse pressure is the systolic pressure
minus the diastolic pressure. The resting pulse pressure in the
average person is 40 (measurements are in mmHg) and this could
increase up to 100mmHg when a healthy adult is exercising.
Pulse pressure may be taken
into account when there is a problem with blood pressure. It
can also be a good indicator regarding some types of heart
problems. Resting numbers that deviate greatly from 40 mmHg may
indicate a possible health problem. Talk to your doctor about
it as soon as you can.
It is rare to get a pulse
pressure reading of less than 40mmHg. If you get one reading
that is extremely different than your usual readings, you may
have just done the calculations wrong.
If the pulse pressure is
frequently low, it reflects a low stroke volume. This could
mean that your heart is not pumping blood properly. This could
be due to serious problems, so get it checked out by your doctor
right away.
Pulse pressure greater than 40
mmHg - readings between 60 and 80mmHg – may be signs of other
conditions. This includes stiffness of the arteries, a leak in
the aortic valve, hypothyroidism, or other problems.
It is a good idea to check your
pulse pressure along with your blood pressure on a regular
basis. If you notice any significant changes in either one,
talk with your doctor as soon as possible.
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