The arterial system in the human body is able to provide blood transport to all organs and tissues. Pressure is the main driving force that sequentially pushes blood from the heart, first into large, and then into small vessels. An increase or decrease in these indicators can cause the development of various pathologies. However, speaking of blood pressure, many do not know what diastolic and systolic blood pressure is. This is what we will talk about in this article, as well as the norm of indicators and possible causes of deviation.
The relationship of diastolic and systolic pressure
In the human body, blood circulation is carried out through the work of the cardiovascular system. The main indicator of the normal functioning of the body is considered blood pressure. To promote blood, the heart always builds tension, it works like a pump. With contractions of the ventricles, pressure begins to increase, due to which blood is pushed into the lumen of the vessels. When the heart muscle relaxes, the chamber of this organ begins to expand, and the voltage drops. This is what is commonly called systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

What is blood pressure? So it is customary to call an indicator that reflects what specific pressure the blood exerted on the vascular walls. Regardless of the phase of the cardiac cycle, blood pressure will be within normal limits, remaining constant. Such constancy of indicators is a consequence of the presence within the body of the valve apparatus, which closes or opens when the portion of blood leaves or enters. Blood pressure is usually measured in millimeters of mercury.
Speaking about what systolic and diastolic blood pressure is, it should be clarified that in medicine it is customary to call the upper and lower indicators. Since the normal pressure range is wide, the human body adapts itself to a certain norm, therefore changes more than 20 mmHg are very often characterized by different symptoms, for example, tinnitus, headache, weakness, etc. Pressure at which a person feels good , called workers. A decrease or increase in indicators in the field of medicine is not regarded as the norm even in the case of a well-being of the patient.
And now it is worth considering separately what diastolic and systolic blood pressure is.
Systolic
Systolic, or upper, pressure shows with what specific strength the blood vessels are strained and filled with blood during the maximum contraction of the heart muscles. Considering diastolic and systolic blood pressure, the norm should be mentioned without fail. Normal systolic blood pressure readings are as follows:
- Children under 1 year: 60-90 mmHg.
- Children aged 1 year to 5 years: 80-100 mmHg.
- Children aged 6 to 12 years: 100-130 mmHg.
- Children over the age of 12 years and adults: 110-145 mm Hg.
Low pressure
Deviations from the norm of diastolic and systolic pressure to a smaller side are very often observed in a person. Low blood pressure is called hypotension. This disease can have a pathological and physiological character. In the case of the physiological nature of hypotension, this ailment often develops against the background of adaptive mechanisms, for example, during pregnancy or in athletes.
Cardiovascular as well as endocrine pathologies are considered pathological factors that provoke a decrease in systolic pressure. These include atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms of low blood pressure
Low systolic blood pressure may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Bradycardia
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Irritation.
- Migraine.
- Fatigue.
- Decreased performance.
- Fatigue.
- Memory impairment.
High blood pressure
Very often, hypertension, which is an increase in pressure, does not manifest itself clinically for a long time. If there are symptoms of pathology, you should contact the clinic for examination. The causes of hypertension are often as follows:
- Atherosclerotic lesion.
- Pathology of the heart.
- Excessive consumption of tonic drinks.
- Elderly age.
- Drinking alcohol and smoking.
- Stress.
- Renal failure.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Valvular defects.
- Thyroid dysfunction.
- Excess weight.
Symptoms of Hypertension
How does hypertension manifest itself? Clinical symptoms include the following:
- Vomiting
- Swelling of the extremities.
- Nausea.
- Noise in ears.
- Tachycardia.
- Dizziness.
- Insomnia.
- Hyperemia of the face.
- Numbness of the fingers.
Diastolic pressure
We continue to consider what diastolic and systolic blood pressure means. The first definition is understood to mean lower pressure, which reflects the minimum tension of the veins and arteries while the muscle of the heart is completely relaxed. In addition, diastolic pressure reflects the rate at which blood exits the capillaries and microvasculature. What are the norms of these indicators?
- Children under the age of 1 year: 40-50 5 mm Hg.
- Children aged 1 to 5 years: 50-60 mmHg.
- Children aged 6 years to 12 years: 55-65 mm Hg.
- Children over 12 years old and adults: 65-95 mmHg.
Low diastolic pressure
Reduced indicators of diastolic blood pressure are a signal that the person in the body has impaired functioning of the kidneys and adrenal glands. In addition, often this condition is observed with an allergic reaction, climate change, stress, tuberculosis, as well as with menstruation in women.
Symptoms of Low Diastolic Pressure
Most often, with a low diastolic blood pressure in a person, the following symptoms appear:
- Dyspnea.
- Sharp weakness.
- Soreness in the chest.
- Tachycardia.
- Vomiting
- Decreased visual acuity.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting.
High diastolic pressure
Elevated diastolic blood pressure indicates hypertonicity in the peripheral vessels, as well as their tendency to cramp. In some cases, this may indicate a violation of microcirculation. The causes of this symptom lie in a hereditary predisposition, in bad habits, uncontrolled use of diuretic drugs or osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebra.
Signs of high diastolic pressure
The clinical picture of increased diastolic blood pressure will look like this:
- Dizziness.
- Weakness.
- Tachycardia.
- Decrease in body temperature.
- Pallor of the skin.
Unparallel increase or decrease
What should be the normal difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure? You can calculate this yourself by looking at the norm of these indicators separately. For example, in adults, the difference between diastolic and systolic blood pressure should be about 40 mmHg. However, it happens that in humans during the study an unparalleled increase or decrease in the rate of upper and lower pressure is detected.
A pronounced difference in systolic and diastolic pressure is found only in 10% of cases. Low diastolic and high systolic blood pressure will be diagnosed in case of secondary or primary isolated hypertensive systolic disease. Primary is a consequence of age-related changes in blood vessels. As for the secondary form, it develops with anemia and aortic valve insufficiency.
Arterial hypertension, which is caused by different pathologies, as well as proceeding without pronounced symptoms, is characterized by a small difference between systolic and diastolic pressure. At the same time, both the upper indicator and the lower one increase. However, the latter grows much faster. This variant of arterial hypertension is diagnosed in the presence of neoplasms in the kidneys or in the case of a chronic inflammatory process.
How to maintain optimal blood pressure?
In order to maintain an optimal level of blood pressure, both diastolic and systolic, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations. In order to normalize indicators, as well as for prevention, follow the rules described below:
- Always follow the principle of proper nutrition, fully sleep and rest, spend more time in the fresh air.
- Refuse from drinking alcohol, as well as from smoking, since these bad habits negatively affect blood pressure.
- Every day you do gymnastics, as well as physiotherapy exercises.
- Review your diet. Experts recommend refusing to eat too fatty foods, as well as strong tea and coffee.
- For prophylaxis, antihypertensive drugs and drugs that lower blood viscosity should be taken. However, note that these medicines must be prescribed by your doctor.
- Timely cure all diseases of the kidneys, endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
- Try to avoid nervous strain and frequent stress.
As you can see, in order to maintain normal values โโof diastolic and systolic blood pressure, it is necessary to observe very simple rules. Do not forget also for the purpose of prevention at least once a year to fully examine your body.