There are several potential reasons why your diastolic reading may be high. It is important to note that high diastolic blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a serious health concern that should be addressed by a healthcare professional.
One possible cause of high diastolic blood pressure is lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. These behaviors can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow and forcing the heart to work harder to pump it through the vessels.
Over time, this can cause the diastolic blood pressure to increase.
Another potential cause of high diastolic blood pressure is stress. When the body is under stress, it releases hormones that cause the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster. This can lead to an increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Medical conditions such as kidney disease, thyroid problems, and sleep apnea may also contribute to high diastolic blood pressure. In addition, certain medications such as decongestants, pain relievers, and hormonal birth control pills can raise blood pressure.
If you are experiencing high diastolic blood pressure, it is important to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of your hypertension and recommend lifestyle changes or medication to help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of serious health complications such as heart attack or stroke.
Table of Contents
What does it mean if your diastolic blood pressure is high?
If your diastolic blood pressure is high, it means that the pressure in your arteries during diastole, the phase of the heartbeat where the heart is at rest and filling with blood, is elevated. A normal diastolic blood pressure reading is considered to be less than 80 mm Hg, whereas a diastolic reading of 90 mm Hg or higher is considered to be high.
High diastolic blood pressure can be an indicator of underlying health problems, such as heart disease or kidney problems. High blood pressure, including elevated diastolic pressure, can also lead to other health issues such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
Factors that can contribute to high diastolic blood pressure include lifestyle choices such as smoking, stress, lack of physical activity, and an unhealthy diet. Certain medications, such as some anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids, can also cause high diastolic blood pressure.
If your diastolic blood pressure is persistently high, it is important to work with your healthcare provider to manage it. This may involve making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet that is low in sodium. Your healthcare provider may also recommend medication to help lower your diastolic blood pressure, depending on the severity of your condition and underlying health conditions.
If you have a high diastolic blood pressure reading, it is important to take steps to manage it in order to reduce your risk of developing serious health complications.
How can I lower my diastolic blood pressure quickly?
There are a few steps you can take to lower your diastolic blood pressure quickly. The first step is to engage in regular physical activity. This can be achieved through activities such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling. Increased physical activity has been proven to be an effective way to lower blood pressure as it helps reduce your overall stress level, improve your blood flow and strengthen your heart muscle.
Another way to lower diastolic blood pressure quickly is to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. Excessive salt consumption can increase blood pressure and worsen hypertension. By limiting your intake of salt, you will significantly reduce your blood pressure levels.
Incorporating more potassium-rich foods into your diet can also help reduce your diastolic blood pressure. Potassium helps to balance the effect of sodium in your body, and it is found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
If your diastolic blood pressure remains high regardless of lifestyle changes, medication may be necessary. Antihypertensive drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics, can be prescribed to help lower blood pressure levels. However, it is imperative to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any medication or supplement regimen.
Finally, managing stress levels is important in controlling high blood pressure. Stress can cause the release of adrenaline in the body, leading to an increase in blood pressure. Engaging in activities such as yoga, meditation, or relaxation techniques can help to alleviate stress and decrease diastolic blood pressure quickly.
Lowering diastolic blood pressure is achievable through a combination of lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity, reducing salt intake, increasing potassium-rich foods, and managing stress levels. Maintaining a healthy diet, controlling your weight, and quitting smoking can also help to reduce your diastolic blood pressure in the long term.
If your blood pressure remains high, despite these changes, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.
Is 90 diastolic too high?
Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between contractions. A diastolic blood pressure reading of 90 mm Hg or higher is considered high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension is a serious medical condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.
However, a single high diastolic blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that a person has hypertension. Blood pressure can vary throughout the day and is influenced by factors such as stress, activity, and diet. It is important to monitor blood pressure over time to determine whether there is a consistent pattern of high readings.
If a person consistently has diastolic blood pressure readings of 90 mm Hg or higher, they should talk to their healthcare provider about potential lifestyle changes and/or medication to help lower their blood pressure. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol and salt intake, quitting smoking, and managing stress can all help decrease blood pressure.
If these lifestyle changes are not sufficient, medication may be necessary to control hypertension.
A diastolic blood pressure reading of 90 mm Hg or higher is considered high and requires monitoring and potential intervention to reduce the risk of serious health problems.
Should I worry if my diastolic is high?
Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted on your arteries when the heart is resting between beats. A diastolic reading of 80mmHg or below is considered normal, while a reading of 90mmHg or higher is classified as high. A high diastolic reading can be a sign of hypertension, which is a major risk factor for developing heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions.
If you have a high diastolic reading, it is important to take steps to lower it. This may involve making lifestyle changes such as reducing your salt intake, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight. In some cases, medication may also be necessary to bring your blood pressure under control.
It is important to regularly monitor your blood pressure, and if you consistently have a high diastolic reading, you should talk to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend additional tests, such as blood work, to check for underlying health conditions that may be contributing to your high diastolic reading.
A high diastolic reading should not be taken lightly, as it can indicate underlying health issues that require attention. It is important to take steps to lower your blood pressure in order to reduce your risk of developing serious health problems. Consult with your doctor to formulate a plan for improving your health and reducing your risk.
Can drinking water lower diastolic?
Drinking water is essential for maintaining a healthy body, and it is known to have numerous health benefits. One of the benefits of drinking water is that it can help lower diastolic blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted on the walls of the arteries when the heart is at rest, between heartbeats.
Studies have shown that dehydration can cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to an increase in diastolic blood pressure. It has also been found that increasing water intake can lead to a decrease in blood pressure, including diastolic blood pressure.
One study found that increasing water intake by 1.5 liters per day for eight weeks resulted in a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals with high blood pressure. Another study found that drinking six glasses of water per day for four weeks led to a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure in individuals who had normal blood pressure.
The reason why drinking water can help lower diastolic blood pressure is that it helps to increase blood volume, which in turn can lower the resistance to blood flow in the arteries. Drinking water can also help to improve the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels. A healthy endothelium is important for maintaining normal blood pressure levels.
Drinking water can help to lower diastolic blood pressure. While it is not a sole solution to managing blood pressure, consuming adequate amounts of water can play an important role in a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice on managing blood pressure.
How do you get your diastolic number down?
To lower your diastolic number, often known as the “bottom” number in your blood pressure reading, you should make significant modifications to your lifestyle. To begin, you should focus on losing weight (if you are overweight) since the increased weight adds to the pressure on your arteries, which can raise your blood pressure, resulting in a high diastolic number.
Try to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, even if it’s just brisk walking, as this can help to reduce your blood pressure and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
It’s critical to maintain a healthy diet that is low in salt, processed foods, and saturated and trans fats, as these can all raise your blood pressure. Try to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet for a healthy and balanced approach. Alcohol and caffeine consumption can raise your blood pressure, so try to limit your intake of these things if possible.
Stress is a significant factor in raising your blood pressure, so try to practice stress-reducing activities such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation. Limiting your exposure to stress in your daily life can also be beneficial.
If lifestyle modifications do not produce sufficient results, your primary care physician may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, or beta-blockers. It’s critical to work with your doctor to find the appropriate medication for you and to monitor your blood pressure regularly to ensure that your treatment is working.
To lower your diastolic number, you must commit to making significant lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight, getting regular exercise, eating a balanced and healthy diet, managing stress, and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor. With the proper approach, most individuals who make these modifications can reduce their diastolic number and maintain healthy blood pressure levels, reducing their risk of heart disease and stroke.
Can high diastolic pressure be cured?
High diastolic pressure, also known as diastolic hypertension, can be managed through various medical treatments and lifestyle changes but it cannot be completely cured. Diastolic pressure refers to the pressure in the artery when the heart is relaxing and filling with blood. A high diastolic pressure reading is 90 mm Hg or higher, which is an indicator of hypertension.
Medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) can be used to control diastolic hypertension. These medications work by reducing the volume of blood and relaxing the blood vessels, resulting in lower blood pressure.
However, once someone is diagnosed with hypertension, it is usually a lifelong condition, and medications may need to be taken indefinitely.
Apart from medication, lifestyle changes are also important to help manage diastolic hypertension. These changes may include maintaining a healthy diet that is low in salt, eating fruits and vegetables, and reducing intake of alcohol and caffeine. In addition, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can be beneficial in controlling blood pressure levels.
Avoiding smoking is also important as nicotine can cause blood vessels to narrow and increase blood pressure.
It is worth noting that high diastolic pressure is often asymptomatic, meaning that people may not realize they have it until it’s too late. Thus, regular blood pressure checks are important to identify hypertension early on and manage it well. Maintaining good blood pressure levels can not only lower the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other health problems but can also improve overall quality of life.
High diastolic pressure cannot be completely cured but can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, and avoiding smoking. Regular blood pressure checks are important to identify hypertension early on and control it effectively, reducing the risk of developing serious health problems.
Does high diastolic mean heart failure?
No, high diastolic blood pressure reading alone does not necessarily indicate heart failure. Diastolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, while systolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Typically, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is defined by a reading of 140/90 or higher, with 140 being the systolic pressure and 90 being the diastolic pressure.
However, there are many different factors that can contribute to high diastolic pressure, including stress, anxiety, dehydration, high salt intake, and a sedentary lifestyle, among many others.
While hypertension can increase the risk of heart failure, it is not a direct cause or indicator of heart failure on its own, especially when the condition is identified early and managed effectively. There are many other risk factors for heart failure, including obesity, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease, among others.
To determine the presence and severity of heart failure, doctors may utilize a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures, including echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, chest X-rays, and cardiac catheterization. These tests can help evaluate heart function, identify any structural abnormalities, and assess blood flow and oxygen levels within the heart.
While high diastolic blood pressure can indicate an increased risk of heart failure, it is not a definitive indicator of heart failure on its own. It is important to manage blood pressure through healthy lifestyle changes and medical treatment to reduce the risk of developing heart failure, as well as to identify and manage any other risk factors for heart disease.
If you are concerned about your heart health or have a family history of heart disease, it is important to talk to your doctor and undergo appropriate testing and evaluation.
Which is worse high systolic or high diastolic?
Both high systolic and high diastolic blood pressure (BP) are considered serious health concerns, but the answer to which one is worse depends on the individual and the underlying cause of the high BP.
Systolic BP is the pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart contracts or beats, and diastolic BP is the pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart is at rest or between beats. High systolic BP (hypertension) is more common in older adults and can put significant stress on the heart by putting extra force on the arterial walls.
This can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Additionally, high systolic BP can cause damage to the arteries, which can result in the development of aneurysms or ruptures in the blood vessels.
On the other hand, high diastolic BP (also known as isolated diastolic hypertension) is less common but can still be a significant health concern. It typically occurs in individuals who are younger than 50 years old and can indicate underlying health problems such as anemia or hyperthyroidism. If left untreated, isolated diastolic hypertension can lead to damage to the kidneys, eyes, and other organs.
Additionally, it can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Both high systolic and high diastolic BP are serious health issues that require medical attention. The best course of action is to monitor your BP regularly, maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and speak with your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms or have concerns about your BP levels.
the answer to which one is worse depends on the individual and their particular medical situation.
