Blood pressure readings, including the systolic-diastolic ratio, provide important information for doctors to diagnose potential heart, kidney, or circulatory system problems. Abnormally low readings may indicate internal bleeding or inflammatory diseases. Doctors also consider a patient’s age and other symptoms when making a diagnosis.
In most doctor’s offices, a patient’s vital signs will be taken before the doctor enters the exam room. One of the readings that will be recorded is the patient’s blood pressure, which is expressed as the systolic rate versus the diastolic rate. The systolic-diastolic ratio tells your doctor how much pressure is exerted on your arteries as your heart contracts and relaxes. High blood pressure itself is a potentially dangerous condition, but the systolic-diastolic ratio can also warn the doctor that the patient may have a problem with the heart, kidneys or circulatory system. Abnormally low blood pressure can be a symptom of dehydration, internal bleeding, some inflammatory diseases, or heart disease.
A heartbeat consists of two separate actions. The heart contracts, forcing blood out of the heart so it can circulate throughout the body. This is the systolic phase. After contracting, the heart relaxes to allow blood to enter its chambers. The relaxed phase is known as the diastolic phase.
When analyzing a patient’s blood pressure, the doctor will look at each number and the systolic-diastolic ratio. In patients older than 50, doctors usually pay more attention to the systolic number. As people age, the systolic rate typically increases due to plaque buildup in the arteries and the tendency for the arteries to stiffen over time. If the systolic-diastolic ratio is greater than 140/90, the doctor knows that the patient may have high blood pressure.
If a younger patient exhibits an elevated systolic-diastolic ratio, the doctor may suspect that an underlying condition may be causing the blood pressure to rise. The doctor may evaluate the patient for a heart valve defect or ask if the patient has symptoms of kidney disease. Because blood pressure can vary greatly from day to day or time of day, more than one reading is often needed to make a diagnosis.
Patients with an abnormally low systolic-diastolic ratio may need to be evaluated for internal bleeding. Ulcers and lesions are common causes of internal bleeding, as are aneurysms or weaknesses in blood vessel walls, which can cause internal bleeding if they burst. Some diseases, such as pancreatitis and diverticulitis, can also cause internal bleeding. A patient’s blood pressure reading can provide the doctor with information that indicates one of these conditions.
While a doctor can learn a great deal from a patient’s systolic-diastolic ratio, blood pressure alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. The doctor will also listen to the patient’s heart, check their heart rate, listen to their breathing, and ask questions about other possible symptoms. Other vital signs, such as the patient’s temperature and weight, will also be included in the doctor’s evaluation.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
