HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does This Resting Blood Pressure Indicate?

default
Posted on Thu, 12 Feb 2015
Question: Is an average resting blood pressure of 125 over 78 dangerous because the puls pressure of 47 is on the high side? XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your resting pulse pressure is within normal range

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Your resting blood pressure recording of 125/ 78 mm Hg is within normal limits. Resting pulse pressure is difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Your resting pulse pressure is 125 - 78 that is 47. A resting pulse pressure lower than 40 and above 60 is abnormal. Your reading of 47 is normal.

If there is decreased functioning of heart then the resting pulse pressure becomes less than 40. When there is leakage in valves then the resting pulse pressure rises above 60. Please do not worry.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (29 minutes later)
Hi Dr Chail
Just one follow up. I once had a 24 hour blood pressure test done which was very good. Average 122 over 80 but at night it dropped to 90 over 60 so the puls pressure was 30 which is abnormal according to your definition. So does the puls pressure not rise and fall with a rise and fall in blood pressure?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Rise of resting awake pulse pressure to abnormal levels is more of concern

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

I understand your concern regarding the blood pressure variation over 24 hours and its consequences. The blood pressure is a dynamic index and does not remain the same at all times. The normal range of pulse pressure mentioned earlier refers to wakeful state at rest. Concerning heart diseases, an abnormal rise in pulse pressure is more important than its fall.

Research has been done on patients by measuring the blood pressure continuously over 24 hours. Findings suggest that there was an almost equal fall of about 20% in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during sleep in the three groups (normal people, patients with controlled high blood pressure and patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure) when compared with their waking pressures. This can also be 15 to 25 percent in some people.

The decrease in blood pressure due to sleep is universal for everyone. Going by above principle, your systolic of 60 mm Hg is within normal limits and diastolic 90 mm Hg is acceptable. This can also be seen from the fact that the diastolic blood pressure does not decrease as much (80 to 60 mm Hg in your case) during sleep when compared to the systolic (122 to 90 mm Hg in your case) blood pressure. This explains the variations of pulse pressure with rise and fall in blood pressure.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Does This Resting Blood Pressure Indicate?

Brief Answer: Your resting pulse pressure is within normal range Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Your resting blood pressure recording of 125/ 78 mm Hg is within normal limits. Resting pulse pressure is difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Your resting pulse pressure is 125 - 78 that is 47. A resting pulse pressure lower than 40 and above 60 is abnormal. Your reading of 47 is normal. If there is decreased functioning of heart then the resting pulse pressure becomes less than 40. When there is leakage in valves then the resting pulse pressure rises above 60. Please do not worry. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek