Have you ever checked your blood pressure and noticed that the top number (systolic) is high, but the bottom number (diastolic) looks normal—or even low? You’re not alone, and yes, it can be confusing.
This is called a wide pulse pressure, and it's something worth paying attention to—especially as we age.
What Is Pulse Pressure?
Pulse pressure is the difference between your top and bottom blood pressure numbers. For example, if your blood pressure is 150/70, your pulse pressure is 80.
A normal pulse pressure is about 40–60 points. If it’s wider than 60, doctors may take a closer look.
Why it Matters
When the gap between the two numbers is large, it can mean that your blood vessels are getting stiff. This can happen with age or certain health conditions. Over time, this stiffness may raise your risk of heart problems like stroke, heart disease, or heart failure.
What Causes It?
- Aging (very common)
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- High blood pressure
- Heart valve problems
- Certain medications
How You Can Fix It:
Even if some causes are related to aging, there are still steps you can take to help your heart:
- Walk daily: Just 20–30 minutes a day can help your blood vessels stay flexible and elastic, which lowers the top number and reduces pulse pressure.
- Eat heart-healthy foods: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats helps lower cholesterol and prevent your arteries from hardening, which improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure.
- Avoid long periods of sitting: Sitting too long can slow your circulation and cause blood pressure spikes. Getting up to move every hour keeps blood flowing smoothly and supports heart health.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause blood pressure to swing or drop, making the top number go higher to compensate. Drinking water regularly helps maintain steady blood pressure levels.
- Relax and manage stress: Stress causes your blood vessels to tighten and your top number to rise. Activities like deep breathing, stretching, or short walks help calm your nervous system and lower that top number.
Takeaways
If your top number is often above 140 but your bottom number is under 80, it’s a good idea to bring this up with your care team. You might not need medicine, but lifestyle changes can go a long way. A high top number with a normal bottom number might not be an error. It could be a sign your blood vessels are stiffening with age. You can’t control your age—but you can protect your heart with healthy habits.