Diastolic blood pressure levels

Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted between beats when the heart is at rest. The study of blood pressure levels is of utmost importance, especially when an increase in blood pressure is detected, as this constitutes a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Blood pressure is a measure that represents the force that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries. This measurement is presented in two figures: systolic blood pressure (SBP), which reflects the force generated by the heart when pumping blood, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), which corresponds to the pressure exerted between beats when the heart is at rest.

Regular assessment of diastolic and systolic blood pressure is essential for the control of your cardiovascular health, as it allows you to detect and prevent possible heart and vascular problems. The normal DBP value is below 80 mmHg.

In the case of having a DBP value equal to or less than 60 mmHg we are in a situation of low blood pressure or hypotension. In this case, the individual may not experience any obvious symptoms, or may experience dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, fatigue, nausea or difficulty concentrating.

If the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) value is equal to or greater than 90 mmHg, it is considered high blood pressure or hypertension. In most cases, this condition does not manifest itself with clear symptoms, although very high blood pressure can cause symptoms similar to those of hypotension, such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, chest pain, confusion, anxiety and blurred vision. Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Risk factors that modify diastolic and systolic blood pressure levels include:

• Advanced age.
• Family history.
• Physical inactivity.
• Alcohol and tobacco consumption.
• Diets rich in salt, saturated and trans fats.
• Antidepressants, hormonal contraceptive pills and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase blood pressure, while diuretics, drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (Viagra) and other drugs can increase blood pressure.drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (viagra), some antidepressants (doxepin) and alpha- and beta-blockers lower blood pressure.
• Ethnicity. African-American adults tend to have higher blood pressure values than the world population average.

Healthy lifestyle habits, such as following a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining regular physical activity and moderating alcohol and tobacco consumption, are tools that can help maintain blood pressure within healthy values, and thus reduce the risk of developing associated pathologies.