How dangerous high pulse pressure?

By; Respiratory Therapist

  Manipal hospital
  Bangalore

The numeric difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called your pulse pressure. For example, if your resting blood pressure is 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), your pulse pressure is 50 — the difference between 130 and 80.

Certain conditions can increase your pulse pressure. These include aortic valve disorders, severe anemia and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). But by far the most important cause of elevated pulse pressure is stiffness and reduced elasticity of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. This may be due to high blood pressure or fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Evidence suggests that pulse pressure may be a strong predictor of heart problems, especially in older adults. But systolic pressure is the best predictor in people older than age 50. In adults older than age 60, a pulse pressure greater than 60 mmHg is dangerous . Treating high blood pressure can control the pulse pressure