Which is more important for assessing health the diastolic or systolic pressure. Why?

Answer 1

Systolic blood pressure

Diastolic blood pressure tends to rise until about age 55 and then begins to fall; systolic blood pressure continues to rise with age. Previously, such elevations in systolic pressure were thought to be a normal part of aging--caused by a gradual loss of elasticity in the arterial walls. Now, however, a substantial body of evidence shows that high systolic blood pressure with a diastolic blood pressure under 90 mm Hg carries a high risk of heart attack and stroke.

Answer 2

The medical field keeps changing its recommendations on this. For a long time (in the decades before the 80's) the diastolic pressure was considered more critical, to the extent that high systolic was almost ingored. Then, systolic was elevated in importance. Now, I believe, the current thinking is that in younger people (less than 60) the diastolic is more important, but in older people the systolic becomes more important. i think now the objective in all people is to get both numbers into the normal range.

Answer 3

The diastolic is when the heart is not beating and gives the low end of the pressure of the blood and the systolic is when the heart beats and the pressure goes up and gives the high end of the blood pressure. I would think that the systolic is more indicative of the condition of the heart.

Answer 4

equally important.diastolic measures constant pressure in blood vessels.to high and you have a stroke.systolic measures the amount of force created by the heart to pump blood to body.to low,cardiogenic shock due to heart attack.to high,overworked heart,overworked pump preheart attack.if the two pressures come together.you have a hole in your heart.