which blood pressure number is more important
Hi Dennis,
More research equals more understanding of this disease. It used to be that MD's were trained to use diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) to diagnose hypertension. However, this changed in 1997, when studies showed that systolic blood pressure (top number) was more critical. Systolic blood pressure tends to gradually increase with age due to less elasticity in the arteries, while diastolic tends to rise gradually until ~50 yo, then it tapers off for a decade. Systolic is the better indicator of developing heart disease.
Bottom line: Prior to age 50, diastolic hypertension is more common and after age 50, systolic hypertension dominates. Monitor both numbers!
Always check with your MD if either number is above 120/80.
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
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