Most people are familiar with certain measures of heart health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol. However, one number many people don’t know about is pulse pressure. Doctors use pulse pressure as an indicator of possible problems with the heart, such as trouble with valves. Pulse pressure is an easy number to calculate, so it’s something you can check on your older family member right at home as long as you have a blood pressure cuff.
How to Calculate Pulse Pressure
When blood pressure is measured, the results are recorded using two numbers, the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. Health care professionals report blood pressure by saying something like, “120 over 80.” The top number is systolic pressure, the pressure on arteries during a heartbeat. The bottom number is diastolic pressure, the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.
Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the bottom number from the top number. So, if your older adult’s blood pressure reading is 120 over 80, their pulse pressure is 40.
What Pulse Pressure Means
In older adults, when pulse pressure is higher than 60 it can be an indicator that the senior is at risk for heart attack or cardiovascular disease. It can also mean that a heart valve is leaking. This can happen with age because of loss of elasticity in the aorta. Low pulse pressure, which is lower than 40, can mean that the heart isn’t functioning well.
Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that pulse pressure should not be used alone in determining health risks, though. It must be used in conjunction with blood pressure reading. They give the following example:
One person has a blood pressure of 160/120, which is an indicator of high blood pressure. Another person has a reading of 110/70, which is a healthy number. Both have a pulse pressure of 40. While 40 is considered a safe pulse pressure, the first person is still at risk for cardiovascular disease because of high blood pressure.
Causes of High Pulse Pressure
A pulse pressure over 60 is most often caused by the stiffening of the aortic artery. That can be caused by high blood pressure or by fatty deposits that collect on the walls of the artery, which damages them and makes them less flexible. It can also be caused by anemia or hyperthyroidism.
The treatment of high pulse pressure is determined by the underlying condition. Treating high blood pressure is often effective in bringing pulse pressure down. If your older family member is being treated for high blood pressure, senior care can help them to stick to the treatment plan. A senior care provider can remind the older adult when they are supposed to take their medication. Senior care can also cook healthy meals that are low in sodium and include healthy ingredients, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/pulse-pressure/faq-20058189
https://www.healthline.com/health/pulse-pressure#high-pulse-pressure
https://www.verywellhealth.com/pulse-pressure-1763964
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Lockwood, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
