What is diastolic blood pressure? What index is normal, low, high?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension is one of the most common causes of death in humans. Understanding and good control of blood pressure indicators helps to reduce the risk of complications caused by blood pressure diseases. The following article will help you better understand diastolic blood pressure.

Blood from the heart flows to all parts of the body through the arteries and veins. Each time the heart beats, the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Blood pressure is created by the pressure the blood exerts on the inner walls of blood vessels as blood is pumped by the heart throughout the body.
The unit of measurement for blood pressure is millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Blood pressure is determined by two numbers, usually written as a ratio. The first number (or top number) is the systolic blood pressure, the second number (or the bottom number) is the diastolic blood pressure.

Diastolic pressure is the lowest level of blood pressure in a blood vessel and occurs between contractions of the heart, when the heart muscle relaxes.

To diagnose a person's blood pressure is normal or not, people are based on both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure:
Blood pressure in a normal adult is determined to have systolic blood pressure is 120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is 80 mmHg; Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. The difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure keeps a certain difference to create perfusion pressure for organs. However, this difference should never be equal to or less than 20 mmHg. If below this number, the doctor will consider this as a case of clamped blood pressure and will conduct emergency treatment. Normal levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure are particularly important for the effective function of vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, and for general health.

Diastolic hypertension is defined as a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Isolated diastolic hypertension is mainly seen in young adults. In most people with isolated diastolic hypertension no specific cause is identified, also known as primary hypertension. In rare cases, isolated diastolic hypertension is secondary to another disorder such as thyroid disease, kidney disease, or sleep apnea syndrome.
When the diastolic blood pressure is high, the blood vessels will become less elastic, harden and atherosclerotic. Normal diastolic blood pressure usually ranges from 60 to 80 mmHg. If your diastolic blood pressure is 80 - 89 mmHg, special attention is needed because you are in the pre-hypertension stage.
Diastolic pressure usually changes throughout the day. You should check your blood pressure several times a day to get an average. Even in the absence of other progression, isolated diastolic hypertension by itself increases the likelihood of serious cardiovascular complications.
Master, Doctor Pham Van Hung has 30 years of experience in examination and treatment of internal diseases, especially in Cardiovascular Internal Medicine: coronary artery, heart failure, heart valve, arrhythmia. ..Master, Doctor Hung used to hold the position of Deputy Head of Internal Cardiology Department and Head of Interventional Cardiology Unit at Da Nang General Hospital and is currently working at Department of Examination and Internal Medicine, Internal Cardiology, Cardiology. Interventional circuit at Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.