What is High Diastolic Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is always measured and shown as two numbers. One on top of the other. For instance, 120/80. The second or lower number is the diastolic blood pressure.

When your lower number rises and stays between 80 and 89, you are considered to have borderline high diastolic blood pressure, or pre-hypertension.

If the lower number goes up above 90, and stays there, you are considered to have a high diastolic blood pressure. You will typically start treatment to bring the number back down.

If you have a high diastolic blood pressure, you will need to take steps to bring your blood pressure back down to a normal level, to reduce your risk of other health issues in the future. These steps can include lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet, getting daily exercise and kicking the smoking habit.

In some cases medication will also be required to lower high diastolic blood pressure as well. It is vital to note that medication will not really cure high blood pressure. It just controls it as long as you are taking the medication the way that you are supposed to. Unfortunately, most patients who start taking medication for high blood pressure will be on it for life.

A high diastolic blood pressure is an vital health concern that should be discussed with your doctor. A high diastolic pressure can cause significant problems with other organs in our bodies. And so, a high diastolic pressure needs to be controlled.