Page Updated on August 17, 2025
Pulse Pressure
Pulse Pressure (PP) is an indicator of cardiovascular health. Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Evaluating pulse pressure by a healthcare professional may help predict the risk of a heart event, including a heart attack or stroke.
How Pulse Pressure is calculated
The BPTrakr app calculates Pulse Pressure by subtracting the diastolic pressure measurement from the systolic pressure measurement:
Pulse Pressure = SP – DP
Where:
SP = systolic pressure
DP = diastolic pressure
Significance of Pulse Pressure
A normal pulse pressure range is between 40 and 60 mm Hg. A high pulse pressure of more than 60 mm Hg means either your heart is working harder, your arteries are less flexible, or both. A higher pulse pressure may indicate an increased risk of heart disease, heart rhythm disorders, stroke and more. A low pulse pressure of less than 40 mm Hg happens when your heart isn’t pumping enough blood, which is seen in heart failure and certain heart valve diseases.
See also
- Pulse Pressure on Wikipedia.
- Physiology, Pulse Pressure on the National Library of Medicine.