Blood pressure question

[Shannon Nelson]

Another question for the medically literate among us.
How would you interpret a BP reading of 120/60? I know that mainstream
folks will consider this just fine, as 120 is nice and moderate.

But my vague recollection (from years as an alternative health care patient)
is that the size of the *gap* between the two numbers is also important, and
that 60 on the bottom is pretty low, and the gap here is pretty wide.

Anyone have any information to confirm/contradict this, any insights?

Thanks!
Shannon

[wrto]

Shanon the B.P. you are describing I could say it is ok, slightly low the
systolic number. You can have any number and the importance to me is that
the difference is around 40. The dyastolic number is the important one
regardless the systolic number.
You can have a 140/90 and I could say it is slightly high. But the same if
you have a 140/80 I could say it is ok,
In your case I would consider it slightly low but on the other hand I have
to evaluate anemia, blodd sugar, etc.
Hope I can be of help.
Dr. William R. Trimmer

[Shannon Nelson]

Great, thankyou!
So is 40 the "ideal" difference to have between the two numbers?
Can you say, then, what it means when the difference between the two is
greater (e.g. in this case 60, but I know sometimes the difference is much
greater than that) or much less (I assume that if the difference is much
less, the heart is not pumping very efficiently?)?

Shannon
on 5/1/03 10:05 AM, wrto at wrto@prodigy.net.mx wrote:

[wrto]

You have to individually take the case of the patient involve. You have to
see also his or her age, constitution, etc. family history, etc.
Dr. Trimmer

[Shannon Nelson]

Ouch, I don't have any specifics.
I'll see if I can get some.
Thanks again!
Shannon
on 5/1/03 1:28 PM, wrto at wrto@prodigy.net.mx wrote: