Diastolic hypertension

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hi!

I am just wondering which affects would high diastolic pressure have on the body and on the heart. Also, why would someone have higher than normal diastolic BP?

120/98

130/94

Etc...

Thanks :)

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

the diastolic pressure is supposed to be the "resting" rate of the heart. If it is too high, the heart is not resting. Overwork of a muscle causes increased muscle mass. All this means the heart is working too much and may get too tired and just quit. Higher pressure can be caused by many things: increased volume to push around; increased viscosity in blood (as when blood sugar makes blood syrupy); decreased vessel capacity (as when things are in the way, or when vessels are too small or some are not functioning). Lots more reasons, but the main thing to know is that you know have to get the MD involved if this is a new finding.

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Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

Increased systemic vascular resistance can cause your diastolic to be high. So, the heart has to work harder to perfuse the body.

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Increased systemic vascular resistance can cause your diastolic to be high. So the heart has to work harder to perfuse the body.[/quote']

Aha! Didn't think of SVR to be a factor! Thanks :)

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the diastolic pressure is supposed to be the "resting" rate of the heart. If it is too high the heart is not resting. Overwork of a muscle causes increased muscle mass. All this means the heart is working too much and may get too tired and just quit. Higher pressure can be caused by many things: increased volume to push around; increased viscosity in blood (as when blood sugar makes blood syrupy); decreased vessel capacity (as when things are in the way, or when vessels are too small or some are not functioning). Lots more reasons, but the main thing to know is that you know have to get the MD involved if this is a new finding.[/quote']

Thank you for a great reply. I asked this question because when I am outside (at the university), my diastolic is flying in mid to high 90s when I get it checked by other nursing students. At home, it stays at mid 80s and in supine position it quickly drops to low80s or high 70s....

I have my MD involved, got a lot of health teaching from the MD, and was told to continue monitoring it...

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get your balance checked....

Thank you for a great reply. I asked this question because when I am outside (at the university), my diastolic is flying in mid to high 90s when I get it checked by other nursing students. At home, it stays at mid 80s and in supine position it quickly drops to low80s or high 70s....

I have my MD involved, got a lot of health teaching from the MD, and was told to continue monitoring it...

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Please take care. We now know that even minimal HTN is bad so we are glad you con to monitor it.

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