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During medical examinations, blood pressure and pulse are usually also measured. Both are related to the cardiovascular system and can influence each other. But is it true that high blood pressure is more dangerous than a high heart rate?
Blood pressure and pulse are usually measured at the same time in the doctor’s office. The cardiologist Dr. In an article from the Cleveland Clinic (USA), Luke Laffin explains some important differences – and dispels common myths.
Pulse versus blood pressure: what’s the difference?
Pulse and blood pressure are linked, but they provide different information about our cardiovascular function.
The pulse provides information about the heart rate. The resting pulse (“normal pulse”) tells you how often the heart has to beat in a minute to supply the body with enough blood. Changes in heart rate can be influenced by factors such as physical activity, emotions and medications.
Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the walls of arteries and veins. Your blood pressure readings provide information about the health of your cardiovascular system and can indicate conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure).
What is the connection?
Your heart rate and blood pressure can affect each other in different ways. You can usually tell if your pulse or blood pressure are at extreme levels – either very high or low.
“It’s true that blood pressure and pulse often rise and fall together,” says Dr. Laffin. For example, if you are exposed to danger, your blood pressure and heart rate may increase at the same time. But the cardiologist also points out that an increase in heart rate does not automatically mean an increase in blood pressure – or vice versa.
“If the two are not related, there may be a specific problem,” he says. “For example, if you are dehydrated, bleeding, or have a severe infection, blood pressure typically drops and heart rate increases.”
How to measure both values
To measure your resting heart rate and blood pressure, choose a reliable and reproducible time, advises Dr. Laffin. Ideally, check the values in the morning before taking medication and occasionally in the evening, around dinner time. Do not take your measurements immediately after training.
While measuring, you should be in a resting position and not cross your legs. Many people don’t realize that crossing their legs while measuring can cause an eight to ten percent increase in systolic blood pressure.
Which measure is more important? This also depends on your health. It may be more important for people with atrial fibrillation to pay attention to heart rate, but many other heart diseases are more dependent on blood pressure. To be on the safe side, measure both.
“Almost all automated blood pressure monitors you can buy in a store display blood pressure and pulse at once,” says Dr. Laffin. “This is practical – and knowing both values helps to better understand how to adjust lifestyle and medication.”
Myths and truths about heart rate and blood pressure
Here are some other things you may not know about the connection between heart rate and blood pressure.
Myth or Truth: Blood pressure and heart rate have “normal” target values Myth: There are guidelines, but what is normal varies from person to person. In general, normal blood pressure is between less than 120 mm Hg systolic – the pressure when your heart beats – and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic – the pressure when your heart relaxes. For your resting heart rate, the goal is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Myth or Truth: A low heart rate or blood pressure always indicates a problem Myth: What is healthy for one person may be dangerous for another. For example, a pulse rate below 50 per minute is generally not objectionable and could persist as long as there are no symptoms. Intervention would only have to be made if the frequency is below 40 per minute.
Low blood pressure can be a little more difficult, especially in older people and patients with heart disease. If you are at risk from low blood pressure, your body will tell you.
“It really depends on how you feel,” says Dr. Laffin. “Do you feel weak? The numbers alone say nothing. It’s the numbers coupled with the symptoms you may have.”
Myth or Truth: High blood pressure is more dangerous than a high heart rate Truth: Here too, what is considered normal varies. But Dr. Laffin says there is enough clinical evidence that the risk of heart disease and stroke increases when blood pressure is even a little above the typical average over time. The physical effects of high blood pressure put strain on your blood vessels.
“Essentially, your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease doubles for every 20 mmHg increase above 115 mmHg systolic,” explains Dr. Laffin.
An increased heart rate can also be a sign of danger, but the cause-and-effect relationship is not so clear. “Studies show that people with faster baseline heart rates are more likely to suffer from heart problems and be at risk of premature cardiac death,” he adds.
“But we’re not sure if that’s the cause of the problem or just a sign of what’s going on. The most common cause of a high resting heart rate is deconditioning.”
Myth or Truth: The faster the heart rate, the shorter the lifespan Truth: In a large study of people undergoing health exams, those with a high-normal resting heart rate of 80 to 90 beats per minute had a 40% shorter life expectancy than those with a lower heart rate of 60 to 69 beats per minute.
The good news, however, is that 15 to 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, could eliminate the risk of increased mortality and reverse lifespan loss, researchers say.
The study highlights the important role physical activity can play in keeping your heart healthy – and allowing you to live longer. “Even moderate activity has benefits,” emphasizes Dr. Laffin. “So there’s no reason to stay on the couch anymore.”
Conclusion
Your heart rate and blood pressure play an important role in your body’s health. It’s important to know how to read your heart rate and blood pressure and pay attention to when any of these readings are too high or too low.
Your doctor will typically check both of these vital signs at annual appointments. However, be sure to let him or her know if you notice any sudden changes in your heart rate or blood pressure. (ad)