• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
emtspot logo

TheEMTSpot

Your Blood Pressure Specialist

  • Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Chart
    • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
      • Symptoms
      • Causes
      • Diagnosis And Tests
      • Treatment
      • Prevention
    • Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
    • How To Check Blood Pressure
    • How To Lower Blood Pressure
    • Blood Pressure Medications
  • Readings
    • Severe Hypotension
    • Hypotension
    • Normal BP
    • Pre-Hypertension
    • Stage 1 Hypertension
    • Stage 2 Hypertension
    • Hypertensive Crisis
  • Supplements
    • Best Blood Pressure Supplements
    • Blood Pressure Support Review
    • Blood Pressure Optimizer Review
    • Corsanum Review
  • Monitors
    • Best Blood Pressure Monitors
    • Oxiline Pressure X Pro Review
    • CheckMe BP2 Review
    • QardioArm Review
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Videos
  • News
  • Search
Home » Blood Pressure

Wide Pulse Pressure: Definition, Symptoms, Causes

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD | Fact checked by Robin Backlund, BHSc
Last update: December 7, 2022

Wide pulse pressure can indicate severe underlying conditions like heart failure. But what does the term mean, and what causes it? Keep reading to find out. 

wide pulse pressure

Quick Summary

  • Subtracting systolic from diastolic blood pressure gives you your pulse pressure. Any number above 40 mm Hg indicates wide pulse pressure.
  • Wide pulse pressure is a serious indicator of underlying cardiovascular diseases.
  • On its own, there are no physical symptoms of wide pulse pressure. But, when paired with high blood pressure or left untreated, patients have reported several symptoms.

The difference between diastolic and systolic blood pressure is known as pulse pressure. Systolic blood pressure tells you how much arterial pressure is exerted during heartbeats, while diastolic pressure is measured between heartbeats.

For example, if your blood pressure measures 125/85 mm Hg, your pulse pressure would be 40 mm Hg.

Doctors use this reading to understand heart health. Abnormally high or low pulse pressure could indicate heart or aging-related problems.

As stated in a clinical review in the Journal of Clinical hypertension:

“Wide pulse pressure is a sign of deteriorating cardiovascular health and carries an increased risk for mortality, disease progression, and adverse clinical outcomes in chronic diseases.”

The normal range for pulse pressure is 40 to 60 mm Hg; anything above this indicates wide pulse pressure.

Read on to find out what wide pulse pressure could say about your health and how to identify its symptoms.

In this article hide
1. What Is Meant By Wide Pulse Pressure?
2. Symptoms Of Wide Pulse Pressure
3. Causes Of Wide Pulse Pressure
3.1. 1. Aortic stiffening
3.2. 2. Valve regurgitation
3.3. 3.Hyperthyroidism
3.4. 4. Anemia
4. In Short

What Is Meant By Wide Pulse Pressure?

Wide pulse pressure means a significant gap exists between the two blood pressure readings.

Wide pulse pressure is a common symptom of arterial stiffness. Even slight elevations in pulse pressure above 40 mm Hg can put your heart and vascular system at risk.

People who don’t exercise and have wide pulse pressure are at a greater risk for severe health conditions, arrhythmias, and stroke in the long run. Even though wide pulse pressures are seen in active people, this is not considered a problem because their hearts and arteries are healthier.

Research has also found a link between high pulse pressure and kidney or eye damage caused by disorders like diabetes.

Moreover, wide pulse pressure can be highly hazardous when paired with hypertension. For instance, having a blood pressure reading of 180/120 mm Hg poses a greater risk than 140/80 mm Hg, although they have the same pulse pressure of 60 mm Hg.

For this reason, maintaining a healthy lifestyle complimented with supplements to regulate blood pressure can reduce the dangers.

Symptoms Of Wide Pulse Pressure

When present on its own, wide pulse pressure doesn’t cause symptoms. However, if left untreated, you may notice the following:

  • Swelling in ankles or feet
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Fainting and dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Weakness
  • Palpitations

Depending on the underlying cause of your wide pulse pressure, the symptoms you experience may vary.

Causes Of Wide Pulse Pressure

A structural or functional change in your heart usually causes wide pulse pressure. Possible reasons include:

1. Aortic stiffening

As oxygenated blood is pumped throughout your body, the aorta might get damaged due to fatty deposits or high blood pressure. This results in high pulse pressure.

2. Valve regurgitation

If blood flows in the wrong direction through your valves, the volume of blood pumping goes down significantly. Consequently, this forces your heart to work harder, so organs and cells receive sufficient blood for function.

3.Hyperthyroidism

When our thyroid gland produces excessive thyroxine hormones, natural processes like heartbeat rhythm and metabolism are disrupted.

4. Anemia

Iron deficiency-caused anemia drastically reduces hemoglobin cell counts in the blood.

In addition, having a wide pulse pressure raises the risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 23%. This is a condition when the upper chambers of your heart flutter instead of beating forcefully.

Wide pulse pressure is also connected with heart attacks and coronary artery disease.

In Short 

If you are experiencing wide pulse pressure, it’s likely because your heart is performing less efficiently than average.

With frequent monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, and medication, wide pulse pressure can be easily controlled.

However, if your pulse pressure is significantly higher than expected or frequently wide, you should consult a doctor to determine what’s causing it.

References

Tang, K. S., Medeiros, E.D. and Shah, A. D. “Wide pulse pressure: A clinical review.” The Journal of Clinical Hypertension 22.11 (2021): 1960-1967. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8029839/

Barkis, G. L. and Laffin, L. J. “Assessing Wide Pulse Pressure Hypertension.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology 73.22 (2019): 2856-2858. https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.03.494

Homan, T. D., Bordes, S. J. and Cichowski, E. “Physiology, Pulse Pressure.” StatPearls (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482408/

Benetos, A. et al. “Pulse Pressure – A Predictor of Long-Term Cardiovascular Mortality in a French Male Population.” Hypertension 30.6 (1997): 1410-1415. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.hyp.30.6.1410

Dart, A. D. “Should pulse pressure influence prescribing?” Australian Prescriber 40.1 (2017): 26-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5313243/

Franklin, S. S. et al. “Is pulse pressure useful in predicting risk for coronary heart Disease? The Framingham heart study.” Circulation 100.4 (1997): 354-360. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10421594/

Whelton, P. K. et al. “2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.” Hypertension 71.6 (2018): 1269-1324. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29133354/

“Heart Beat: High pulse pressure poses risk for atrial fibrillation.” Harvard Health Publishing (2007). https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/heart-beat-high-pulse-pressure-poses-risk-for-atrial-fibrillation

Claim A FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

About Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD

Michael Rotman is a Structural Heart Specialist, Interventional Cardiologist and Scientist. He has more than a decade of experience in treating heart related desease, as well as authoring and reviewing health and wellness-related content. Currently work for a St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

You May Also Like

different blood pressure on each arm
Can Blood Pressure Be Different In Each Arm?
sexual harassment and high blood pressure
Sexual Harassment And High Blood Pressure In Women
acupuncture for high blood pressure
How Does Acupuncture Work For High Blood Pressure Patients
how to reduce blood pressure
How To Lower Blood Pressure? Most Effective Treatment Methods Explained

You May Also Like

different blood pressure on each arm
Can Blood Pressure Be Different In Each Arm?
sexual harassment and high blood pressure
Sexual Harassment And High Blood Pressure In Women
acupuncture for high blood pressure
How Does Acupuncture Work For High Blood Pressure Patients
how to reduce blood pressure
How To Lower Blood Pressure? Most Effective Treatment Methods Explained

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Footer

Categories

  • Blood Pressure
  • Readings
  • Monitors
  • Supplements
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • News

Site Navigation

  • EMT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Useful Links

  • Advertize With Us
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Affiliate Disclosure

emtspot logo

Heart care is a top priority in today’s medical world, and TheEMTSpot will be your one-stop solution for all queries you have. Dive in now!

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · TheEMTSpot.com

Fact checked by Robin Backlund, BHSc

robin backlundRobin Backlund is a dedicated journalist and a medical student who has written several articles and essays exposing the falseness and hollowness of online resources in the medical science niche.

Note:

All TheEMTSpot’s content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure that it is as accurate as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to other reputable media sites, educational institutions, and, whenever possible, peer-reviewed studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact us.

x
blood pressure log newsletter back
DON'T MISS OUT!
Discover A Healthier You With Our FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!
x
blood pressure log newsletter back
DON'T MISS OUT!
Discover A Healthier You With Our FREE Blood Pressure Tracking Log

Are you ready to take control of your blood pressure and improve your overall health? Join our newsletter now and unlock exclusive access to our user-friendly Blood Pressure Tracking Log – absolutely FREE!

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!