diastolic blood pressure

Diastolic blood pressure

Blood pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

Mentioned in: Hypertension

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diastolic blood pressure,

the minimum level of blood pressure measured between contractions of the heart. It may vary with age, gender, body weight, emotional state, and other factors.

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blood pressure,

n the pressure exerted on the arterial walls by the blood when the heart is in systole (systolic pressure), and the pressure maintained by the elasticity of the arteries when the heart is in diastole (diastolic pressure). A consistent arterial pressure greater than 120 over 80 is considered high and suggestive of hypertensive vascular disease. See also hypertension, systole, diastole.

blood pressure classification,

n the rating system for blood pressure levels in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), given as the systolic over the diastolic pressure. Both the systolic and diastolic pressure, if at increased levels, are indicators of concern for cardiovascular problems. Normal is less than 120 over 80; prehypertension is 120-139 over 80-89, stage 1 hypertension is 140-159 over 90-99; stage 2 hypertension is 159 or higher over 99 or higher. See also hypertension.

blood pressure, diastolic,

n the pressure in the bloodstream when the heart relaxes and dilates, filling with blood. See also blood pressure; blood, pressure, stages; and diastole.

blood pressure, systolic,

n the pressure exerted on the bloodstream by the heart when it contracts, forcing blood from the ventricles of the heart into the pulmonary artery and the aorta. See also blood pressure; blood, pressure, stages; and systole.

blood pressure cuff,

n a part of a sphygmomanometer that fits over the patient's arm. It comes in four sizes, for children up to obese adults. It should be made of a nonelastic material, and the cuff used should be about 20% bigger than the arm it fits over–an undersized cuff will cause the blood pressure reading to appear higher than it is in reality, whereas an oversized cuff will cause the reading to appear too low.

blood pressure stages,

n any of the three stages of hypertension marked by elevated blood pressure. Stage I is 140-159 over 90-99; Stage II is 160-179 over 100-109; Stage III is 180-209 over 110-119.