Which is more important systolic or diastolic blood pressure?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can tell you that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure are important for different reasons. However, in recent years, there has been a growing consensus that systolic blood pressure might be more closely associated with cardiovascular risk. Systolic blood pressure is the top number that represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is beating and pumping blood. It's the peak pressure that occurs with each heartbeat. High systolic pressure can indicate that the heart is working harder than it should, which can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. Diastolic blood pressure, on the other hand, is the bottom number and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. It's an indicator of the resistance in the blood vessels and the heart's efficiency at pumping blood. While both are important, systolic blood pressure is often considered more important for several reasons: 1. It has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. 2. In older adults, systolic blood pressure tends to be a better predictor of heart disease and stroke than diastolic pressure. 3. Controlling systolic blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. However, it's crucial to manage both systolic and diastolic pressures to maintain overall cardiovascular health. It's always best to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment.

We have discovered that systolic blood pressure (the top number or highest blood pressure when the heart is squeezing and pushing the blood round the body) is more important than diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number or lowest blood pressure between heart beats) because it gives the best idea of your risk of ...