Blood Pressure Calculator

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic readings. Normal is 40-60 mmHg. A wide pulse pressure (>60) can indicate arterial stiffness, while a narrow one (<40) may suggest heart problems. It's an important marker of cardiovascular health independent of blood pressure itself.

MAP is the average pressure in your arteries during one cardiac cycle. Calculated as (systolic + 2×diastolic) ÷ 3, it represents the pressure that drives blood to organs. Normal MAP is 70-100 mmHg. A MAP below 60 can cause inadequate organ perfusion, while above 100 increases cardiovascular risk.

Frequency depends on your category:

• Normal: At least once per year
• Elevated: Every 3-6 months
• Stage 1: Monthly or as directed by doctor
• Stage 2: Weekly or as directed by doctor

Yes, stress hormones cause temporary BP spikes. "White coat hypertension" (elevated readings at doctor's office) affects 15-30% of people. This is why home monitoring is valuable. However, chronic stress can contribute to long-term hypertension, so stress management is important for cardiovascular health.

For most people with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends a target BP below 140/90 mmHg. For those with additional cardiovascular risk factors, a lower target of 130/80 mmHg may be appropriate. Individual targets should be determined with your healthcare provider based on your specific situation.

Never stop blood pressure medication without consulting your doctor. Often, BP is controlled because of the medication, not despite it. Sudden discontinuation can cause dangerous rebound hypertension. If you're concerned about your medication, discuss tapering options with your healthcare provider - they may adjust doses based on consistent improvements.

For accurate readings:

• Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
• Keep feet flat on floor, back supported
• Arm should be at heart level, palm facing up
• Take 2-3 readings, 1 minute apart
• Avoid caffeine and exercise 30 minutes before
• Measure at same time daily for consistency

Arterial age (also called vascular age) estimates how old your blood vessels are compared to your chronological age. It's calculated using your blood pressure, age, gender, weight, and pulse pressure to assess cardiovascular health.

Factors considered:

• BP deviation from age-expected values (BP naturally rises ~0.6 mmHg/year)
• Gender (women have 3-5 year vascular advantage until menopause)
• Weight (obesity accelerates vascular aging)
• Pulse pressure (indicates arterial stiffness)

This gives you an answer to "You have the heart of a X year old." A younger arterial age is excellent; an older arterial age suggests lifestyle changes or treatment are needed to reduce cardiovascular risk.