Pulse pressure

What is a pulse? These are rhythmic jerky displacements of the walls of blood vessels, which are due to the movement of blood, which is ejected by the heart.

Significant interest in the study of the pulse manifested even the ancient Indian, Greek, Arab and Chinese doctors. At that time, it was believed that one could prescribe the treatment of any disease, make a diagnosis and make a prediction only by the nature of the pulse. In addition, they found that the pulse depends on age, sex, disease and physique. After the theory of the pulse has found the basic principles, its further formation, because of the absence of an instrument that will record pulse waves, went very slowly. And only the introduction of modern methods for fixing the pulse, such as: phlebeopiezography and arterieopiezography, greatly expanded and deepened our knowledge of the theory of pulse.

Pulse pressure is the difference between diastolic and systolic pressure and is measured in millimeters of mercury. Usually normal blood pressure (systolic / diastolic) reaches 120/80 mm Hg. (Mm Hg).

Low pulse pressure

Pulse pressure is considered anomalously low if it is less than 25% of the systolic value. The most common cause of low pulse pressure is a stroke of the left ventricle, as well as any trauma that is accompanied by a significant loss of blood.

If the pulse pressure is extremely low (from 25 mm or less), then the cause may be a small heart shock volume, as in heart failure. In addition, low pulse pressure can also be caused by aortic stenosis of the valve.

High rates of pulse pressure during or after exercise

Typically, the pulse pressure in healthy adults at rest is about 40 mm Hg. This figure increases with physical activity in connection with an increase in the stroke volume of the heart. Pulse pressure, as a rule, returns to normal within 10 minutes in healthy people. In most people, during low physical exertion, the systolic pressure gradually increases, and the diastolic pressure remains the same. While some drugs for hypertension have a side effect in the form of increased diastolic pressure, ACE inhibitors quite successfully fight high pulse pressure. It is very harmful high pulse pressure, which helps to accelerate the natural aging of internal organs, especially the heart, brain and kidneys. This symptom in combination with bradycardia and irregular, irregular breathing speaks of increased intracranial pressure. In this case it is necessary to consult a doctor without fail.

The main causes of high pulse pressure:

• atherosclerosis;
• Arteriovenous fistula;
• Chronic insufficiency;
• Thyrotoxicosis;
• fever;
• anemia;
• pregnancy;
• anxiety;
• Heart block;
• endocarditis;
• Increased intracranial pressure.

Increased pulse pressure is the main symptom of heart disease

Recent studies show that increased heart rate pressure is a very important indicator of the risk of heart disease and the development of atrial fibrillation. If the patient suffers from high pulse pressure, the treatment may include medications - ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors).

A 2005 study showed that taking five mg of folic acid daily for 3 weeks would help reduce the pulse pressure by 4.7 millimeters of mercury. And scientists concluded that folic acid is a very effective tool that increases the rigidity of the arteries, which helps to prevent systolic hypertension.