Systolic vs diastolic: Understanding the difference

What are systole and diastole?

Systole:

Diastole:

Which is more important diastolic or systolic pressure?

What are healthy ranges for systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure: 

• Systolic: Less than 120 mmHg AND 
• Diastolic: Less than 80 mmHg 
• Reading: Less than 120/80 mmHg 

Elevated blood pressure:  

• Systolic: 120-129 mmHg AND 
• Diastolic: Less than 80 mmHg 
• Reading: 120-129/<80 mmHg 

Hypertension stage 1: 

• Systolic: 130-139 mmHg OR 
• Diastolic: 80-89 mmHg 
• Reading: 130-139/80-89 mmHg 

Hypertension stage 2:  

• Systolic: 140mmHg or higher OR 
• Diastolic: 90 mmHg or higher 
•  Reading: >140/90 mmHg 

Hypertension crisis (requires immediate medical attention): 

• Systolic: Higher than 180 mmHg AND/OR 
• Diastolic: Higher than 120 mmHg 
• Reading: >180/>120 mmHg 

What are the effects of high and low blood pressure?

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

Short-term effects:

• Undetectable nature: High blood pressure is often asymptomatic, meaning it causes no visible symptoms. This is why it is known as the "silent killer" since it might go undiagnosed until major health problems arise. 
• Headaches: Some people may develop headaches or dizziness, especially if their blood pressure is high. This is frequently associated with a rapid increase in blood pressure.

Long-term effects:

Cardiovascular Damage:

• Heart disease: When high blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, it can contribute to the development and progression of coronary artery disease. This, in turn, increases the risk of coronary artery plaques rupturing, causing heart attacks, especially if coronary artery disease is already present. 
• Heart failure: High blood pressure can cause the heart to become less effective in pumping blood over time, eventually leading to heart failure. 
• Stroke: High blood pressure can weaken or burst blood vessels in the brain, resulting in a stroke. It can also promote the development of blood clots, which can obstruct blood flow to the brain. 
• Kidney damage: The kidneys use a network of small blood channels to filter waste from the blood. High blood pressure can harm these veins, reducing kidney function and raising the risk of kidney failure.  
• Vision problems: High blood pressure can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive region of the eye), causing retinopathy. If not controlled properly, this can lead to visual difficulties and perhaps blindness. 
• Aneurysm: Chronic high blood pressure can cause blood arteries to weaken and bulge, resulting in an aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. 

Low blood pressure (Hypotension)

Short-term effects:

• Dizziness and light-headedness: Low blood pressure can limit blood flow to the brain, resulting in dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting, especially when standing quickly (orthostatic hypotension). 
• Fainting: In severe hypotension, diminished blood supply to the brain might result in fainting. This can be especially harmful since it raises the likelihood of falls and injury. 
• Blurred vision and nausea: Low blood pressure can also induce impaired vision and nausea due to reduced blood flow to different body regions. 

Long-term effects:

• Fatigue and weakness: Chronic low blood pressure may generate prolonged sensations of exhaustion, weakness, or a lack of energy as organs and tissues may not receive enough blood. 
• Trouble concentrating: Inadequate blood supply to the brain can impede cognitive function, making it difficult to focus or think effectively. 
• Shock: In extreme circumstances, especially when combined with other reasons such as significant blood loss or infections, low blood pressure can cause shock—a serious state in which the body's organs do not get enough blood flow to operate correctly. This necessitates prompt medical attention. 

Managing low and high blood pressure

Managing high blood pressure (Hypertension)

• Dietary changes: Diet is essential for regulating high blood pressure. Reducing salt consumption is essential and 2,300 mg of sodium per day is suggested, with an aim of 1,500 mg. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy can help reduce blood pressure. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which focuses on certain food categories, is very effective. Additionally, restricting alcohol consumption might be beneficial. For males, this implies no more than two drinks each day, while women can have up to one. 
• Regular exercise: Regular physical exercise is essential for treating hypertension. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise every week. Walking, swimming, and cycling are all helpful. Strength training activities twice a week can also help with blood pressure control. Maintaining a healthy weight is another important component; decreasing extra weight may considerably decrease blood pressure, and even a small weight reduction may be beneficial. 
• Stress management: Stress management is a vital part of high blood pressure treatment. Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga are all stress-reduction techniques that can have a favourable impact on blood pressure. Moreover, quitting smoking matters most since tobacco increases blood pressure and overall cardiovascular risk. 
• Monitoring blood pressure: Blood pressure should be monitored regularly to manage hypertension. Regular check-ups with your healthcare specialist, along with home monitoring can help track your blood pressure and change treatments as needed. This continual monitoring ensures that any changes in your condition are treated swiftly. 

Managing low blood pressure (Hypotension)

• Hydration: Hydration is an important aspect of controlling hypotension. Drinking sufficient fluids, particularly water helps prevent dehydration, which may contribute to decreased blood pressure. Staying hydrated can also help reduce the symptoms of low blood pressure. 
• Physical exercise: Regular exercise improves circulation and can lead to more stable blood pressure levels over time. Avoiding rapid posture shifts is also important. Standing up slowly from a sitting or lying posture might help you avoid dizziness and fainting caused by an abrupt drop in blood pressure. 
• Compression stockings: Compression stockings can help those with low blood pressure. These stockings minimise blood pooling in the legs and increase overall circulation, which can help manage hypotension symptoms. Blood pressure should be monitored regularly to discover patterns and effectively manage symptoms. 
• Dietary adjustments: Dietary changes can help manage low blood pressure. Increasing salt intake can help raise blood pressure, but only under medical supervision to avoid problems. Consuming smaller, more frequent meals might also assist because big meals can induce a dip in blood pressure. A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients can help regulate blood pressure.

When to consult a GP?

Let Hola Health handle your blood pressure concerns

• Virtual consultations allow you to consult with a health practitioner from the comfort of your home within 15 minutes, eliminating travel requirements and minimising wait time. Medical experts offer medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment for various illnesses, including blood pressure concerns. 
• Online prescriptions facilitate the immediate receipt of medication orders from accredited medical experts. 
• Get a medical certificate online from AHPRA-registered medical practitioners in minutes if you need to be away from work, school, or uni or if you are responsible for someone with hypertension or hypotension.  
• Get online referrals from home in minutes to eliminate the need to travel with hypertension or hypotension.  
• Online medicine delivery can be a boon when suffering from a contagious illness, schedule your delivery or get same-day pharmacy delivery with Hola.  
• Consult doctors after hours to get your worries out of the way at odd hours.