Wide Pulse Pressure: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
Maybe your like
- Health Conditions
Health Conditions
All- Breast Cancer
- Cancer Care
- Caregiving for Alzheimer's Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Heart Health
- Menopause
- Mental Health
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Sleep Health
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Weight Management
Condition Spotlight
All
Controlling Ulcerative Colitis
Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder
Mastering Geographic Atrophy
Managing Type 2 Diabetes
- Wellness
Wellness Topics
All- CBD
- Fitness
- Healthy Aging
- Hearing
- Mental Well-Being
- Nutrition
- Parenthood
- Recipes
- Sexual Health
- Skin Care
- Sleep Health
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Women's Wellness
Product Reviews
All- At-Home Testing
- Men's Health
- Mental Health
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Women's Health
Featured Programs
All
Your Guide to Glucose Health
Inflammation and Aging
Cold & Flu Season Survival Guide
She’s Good for Real
- Tools
Featured
- Video Series
- Pill Identifier
- FindCare
- Drugs A-Z
- Medicare Plans by State
Lessons
All- Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Essentials
- Diabetes Nutrition
- High Cholesterol
- Taming Inflammation in Psoriasis
- Taming Inflammation in Psoriatic Arthritis
Newsletters
All- Anxiety and Depression
- Digestive Health
- Heart Health
- Migraine
- Nutrition Edition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Wellness Wire
Lifestyle Quizzes
- Find a Diet
- Find Healthy Snacks
- Weight Management
- How Well Do You Sleep?
- Are You a Workaholic?
- Featured
Health News
All- Medicare 2026 Changes
- Can 6-6-6 Walking Workout Help You Lose Weight?
- This Couple Lost 118 Pounds Together Without Medication
- 5 Science-Backed Ways to Live a Longer Life
- Morning Coffee May Help You Live Longer
This Just In
- 5 Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle
- How to Disinfect Your House After the Flu
- Best Vegan and Plant-Based Meal Delivery for 2025
- Does Medicare Cover Pneumonia Shots?
- Chromosomes, Genetics, and Your Health
Top Reads
- Best Multivitamins for Women
- Best Multivitamins for Men
- Best Online Therapy Services
- Online Therapy That Takes Insurance
- Buy Ozempic Online
- Mounjaro Overview
Video Series
- Youth in Focus
- Healthy Harvest
- Through an Artist's Eye
- Future of Health
- Connect
Find Your Bezzy Community
Bezzy communities provide meaningful connections with others living with chronic conditions. Join Bezzy on the web or mobile app.
All
Breast Cancer
Multiple Sclerosis
Depression
Migraine
Type 2 Diabetes
Psoriasis
Follow us on social media
Can't get enough? Connect with us for all things health.
- Types
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Diagnosis
- Management
- Diet
- Prognosis
- Complications
- Related Conditions
- Pregnancy
Related Topics
Types
TypesRelated Articles
- Types
- Malignant
- Renal
- Secondary
- Supine
- Systemic
- Uncontrolled
- Asymptomatic
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTPH)
- Refractory
- Resistant
- Persistent Pulmonary
- Pulmonary Arterial
- Labile
- Masked
- Precapillary Pulmonary
- Orthostatic
- Low Renin
- Post-Capillary Pulmonary
- In Children
- Essential
Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk FactorsRelated Articles
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Anxiety
- Caffiene
- Eating
- Exercise
- Lying Down
- Coffee
- Surgery
- Dehydration
- Hyperthyroidism
- Prehypertension
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Obesity
Symptoms
SymptomsRelated Articles
- Symptoms
- Symptoms in Females
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Treatment
TreatmentRelated Articles
- Treatment
- Medications
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- ACE Inhibitors
- Diuretics
- PAH Medications
- Beta Blockers
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Amlodipine
- Carvedilol
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Losartan
- Metoprolol
- Atenolol
- Candesartan
- Captopril
- Chlorthalidone
- Clonidine
- Valsartan
- Verapamil
- Torsemide
- Spironolactone
- Benazepril
- Clopidogrel
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Methyldopa
- Metolazone
- Minoxidil
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Nifedipine
- Olmesartan
- Dicyclomine
- Guanfacine
- Eltrombopag
- Enalapril
- Eplerenone
- Hydralazine
- Indapamide
- Irbesartan
- Labetalol
- Lisinopril
- Perindopril
- Prazosin
Diagnosis
DiagnosisRelated Articles
- Diagnosis
- How to Measure Blood Pressure
- Blood Pressure Chart
- When to Check Blood Pressure
- Diagnosing PAH
- Diastole vs. Systole
Management
ManagementRelated Articles
- Management
- CBD
- Acupuncture
- Blood Pressure Monitors
- Watches
- Wrist Monitors
- Essential Oils
- Flying with High Blood Pressure
Diet
DietRelated Articles
- Diet
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Guidelines for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
- Herbs
- Supplements
- Low Sodium Recipes
- Drinks
- Garlic
- Foods to Avoid
- Teas
- DASH Diet
Prognosis
PrognosisRelated Articles
- Outlook
- Is it Dangerous?
- Pulomnary Hypertension Outlook
- How Common Is It?
Complications
ComplicationsRelated Articles
- Heart Attack and Stroke
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Breath
- Insomnia
- Portopulmonary Hypertension
- Nosebleeds
- Effects on the Body
- Aneurysm
- Retinopathy
- Heart Disease
Related Conditions
Related ConditionsRelated Articles
- Diabetes
- Kidney Disease
- Sleep Apnea
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- Kidney Disease
- Low Pulse
- Hypothyroidism
Pregnancy
PregnancyRelated Articles
- Pregnancy
- Safe Medications
- Managing Preeclampsia
- Gestational Hypertension vs. Preeclampsia
- Abnormal Blood Pressure
Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on October 30, 2023- Measurement
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Treatments
- Takeaway
A high pulse pressure, or a wide pulse pressure, can indicate a change in your heart’s structure or function due to various causes, including aortic stiffening and hyperthyroidism.
Pulse pressure is the difference between your systolic blood pressure, which is the top number of your blood pressure reading, and diastolic blood pressure, which is the bottom number.
Doctors can use pulse pressure as an indicator of how well your heart is working. A high pulse pressure is sometimes called a wide pulse pressure. This is because there’s a large or wide difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure.
A low pulse pressure is a small difference between your systolic and diastolic pressure. In some cases, a low pulse pressure can also be a sign of a poorly functioning heart.
Most people have a pulse pressure between 40 and 60 mm Hg. Generally, anything above this is considered a wide pulse pressure.
Read on for more information about what your pulse pressure could tell you about your heart health.
How’s pulse pressure measured?
To measure your pulse pressure, your doctor will start by measuring your blood pressure. They’ll likely use either an automatic blood pressure cuff or a device called a sphygmomanometer. Once they have your systolic and diastolic readings, they’ll subtract your diastolic pressure from your systolic pressure. This resulting number is your pulse pressure.
What does a wide pulse pressure indicate?
Wide pulse pressure can indicate a change in your heart’s structure or function. This may be due to:
- Valve regurgitation. In this, blood flows backward through your heart’s valves. This reduces the amount of blood pumping through your heart, making your heart work harder to pump enough blood.
- Aortic stiffening. The aorta is the major artery that distributes oxygenated blood throughout your body. Damage to your aorta, often due to high blood pressure or fatty deposits, can cause wide pulse pressure.
- Severe iron deficiency anemia. In this condition, there aren’t enough hemoglobin cells in your blood due to lack of iron.
- Hyperthyroidism. Your thyroid produces too much of a hormone called thyroxine, which affects many of your body’s processes, including the beating of your heart.
Having a wide pulse pressure also increases your risk of developing a condition called atrial fibrillation. This occurs when the top portion your heart, called the atria, quivers instead of beating strongly. According to Harvard Health, someone with a wide pulse pressure is 23 percent likely to have atrial fibrillation. This is compared with 6 percent for those whose pulse pressures are under 40 mm Hg.
A wide pulse pressure may also be associated with coronary artery disease or heart attack.
What’re the symptoms?
On its own, a wide pulse pressure usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. Over time, however, you might begin to notice:
- ankle or foot swelling
- difficulty breathing
- dizziness
- facial flushing
- fainting
- headaches
- heart palpitations
- weakness
Your symptoms will depend on the underlying cause of your wide pulse pressure.
How’s it treated?
A wide pulse pressure is usually a sign of an underlying problem, so treatments usually depend on the condition. However, most treatments involve lowering blood pressure, which can also lower a wide pulse pressure. While you can often do this by making some lifestyle or dietary changes, your doctor might prescribe medication for more severe cases.
Lifestyle changes
There are several steps you can take to manage your blood pressure.
- Lose weight. If you are overweight, losing even 10 pounds can help reduce blood pressure.
- Exercise. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise more days of the week than not. This can be as simple as taking a walk through your neighborhood.
- Stop smoking. Smoking can harden your arteries, increasing pulse pressure. If you smoke, quitting can also make it easier to exercise as your lungs start to regain their full function.
- Reduce your daily sodium intake. Aim to eat fewer than 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Limit yourself to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
- Take steps to reduce stress. Stress can release inflammatory compounds in your body that contribute to increased blood pressure. Try a relaxing activity, such as mediating or reading, to help manage your stress.
Medications
Sometimes, diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control high blood pressure. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe medication. There are several types of medication for managing high blood pressure, including:
- angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil)
- angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as valsartan (Diovan) and losartan (Cozaar)
- beta-blockers, such as metoprolol (Lopressor) or atenolol (Tenormin)
- calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc) and diltiazem (Cardizem)
- renin inhibitors, such as aliskiren (Tekturna)
Keep in mind that you may need additional treatment, including different medications, to get a wide pulse pressure under control, depending on the underlying cause.
»MORE:Get a refill for your high blood pressure medication in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
The bottom line
Wide pulse pressure is usually an indication that something is causing your heart to work less efficiently. If you take your blood pressure regularly and calculate that your pulse pressure is wider than usual, it’s best to follow up with your doctor to figure out what’s causing it.
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Dart H. (2017). Should pulse pressure influenceprescribing? DOI:https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2017.006
- High pulse pressure poses risk for atrialfibrillation. (2007).https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/heart-beat-high-pulse-pressure-poses-risk-for-atrial-fibrillation
- Klabunde R. (2016). Arterial and aortic pulsepressure.http://www.cvphysiology.com/Blood%20Pressure/BP003
- Low YH, et al. (2016). The significance (orinsignificance) of wide pulse pressure. DOI:https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.193699
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Choosing bloodpressure medications.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure-medication/art-20046280
- Problem: Aortic valve regurgitation. (2016).http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/HeartValveProblemsandDisease/Problem-Aortic-Valve-Regurgitation_UCM_450611_Article.jsp
- Sheps SG. (2016). Pulse pressure: an indicatorof heart health?https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/pulse-pressure/faq-20058189
- Yidiran T, et al. (2010). Low pulse pressure asa predictor of death in patients with mild to advanced heart failure.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2879196
Share this article
Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.D. — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on October 30, 2023related stories
- Pulse Pressure Calculation Explained
- Understanding Mean Arterial Pressure
- Blood Pressure Readings Explained
- Natural Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure: A Visual Guide
- New Hypertension Guidelines Emphasize Earlier Treatment, Avoiding Alcohol
Read this next
- Pulse Pressure Calculation ExplainedMedically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN
Pulse pressure is the difference between your systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Here's what it means.
READ MORE - Understanding Mean Arterial Pressure
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) measures the flow, resistance, and pressure in your arteries during one heartbeat. We’ll go over what’s considered normal,
READ MORE - Blood Pressure Readings ExplainedMedically reviewed by Chris Young, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD
When your doctor takes your blood pressure, it’s expressed as a measurement with two numbers. But what's normal and what do the numbers mean?
READ MORE - Natural Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure: A Visual Guide
Want to try lowering your blood pressure without medications? Download this guide to learn more about methods to try.
READ MORE - New Hypertension Guidelines Emphasize Earlier Treatment, Avoiding Alcohol
New hypertension guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) reaffirm earlier recommendations and include some key changes, such as earlier…
READ MORE - VIDEO: What's the Real Difference Between Hypertension and Heart Disease?
Watch this video to learn about the differences between hypertension and heart disease.
READ MORE - VIDEO: What Happens to Your Body with High Blood Pressure?
Watch this video to learn about what happens to your body when you have high blood pressure.
READ MORE - Can Lyme Disease Cause hypotension or Hypertension?Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP
Lyme disease can cause long term health concerns; however, it's more likely to cause low blood pressure than high. More research is needed.
READ MORE - 5 Delicious Recipes for HypertensionMedically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, RDN, CDCES
Not sure what to cook for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? These five recipes are delicious and heart-healthy options.
READ MORE - What's the Link Between Insulin Resistance and Hypertension?
Insulin resistance and hypertension (high blood pressure) are two medical conditions that are often linked together. Learn why.
READ MORE
Tag » What Is Wide Pulse Pressure
-
Pulse Pressure: What It Is And How To Calculate It - Cleveland Clinic
-
Wide Pulse Pressure: A Clinical Review - PMC - NCBI
-
Wide Pulse Pressure - Wikidoc
-
Pulse Pressure: An Indicator Of Heart Health? - Mayo Clinic
-
Pulse Pressure (Wide, Narrow & Normal) + How To Calculate
-
Pulse Pressure - Wikipedia
-
Pulse Pressure Definition, Wide Pulse Pressure & Narrow Pulse ...
-
What Is Pulse Pressure And Why Is It Important? - MedicineNet
-
Increased Pulse Pressure - UpToDate
-
Pulse Pressure | Hypertension - AHA Journals
-
Assessing Wide Pulse Pressure Hypertension - JACC Journals
-
Widened Pulse Pressure - Tala Talks NICU - YouTube
-
Should Pulse Pressure Influence Prescribing? - NPS MedicineWise