Kidney Korner: Understanding Your Blood Pressure Readings

Diastolic vs. Systolic:
Systolic: This is the number on the top of the reading. It is the pressure inside your arteries when the heart is pumping/contracting, at the time of the heartbeat.
Diastolic: This is the number on the bottom of the reading. It is the pressure inside your arteries when the heart is filling, between the heartbeats. For most people, the diastolic is normally ½ to ⅔ of the systolic.

Blood Pressure Ranges
Blood pressure ranges will vary from patient to patient based on their individual needs. Some patients may have a higher or lower range based on medications, other diagnoses, lifestyle factors, and/or family history.

When to Retake a Reading
If a reading is taken that is unusual or abnormal, it is advised to retake it in the following manner:

• Check the cuff for proper placement, positioning, and secure connection to the device
• If it fits correctly, do not take the cuff off. 
• Remain where you are and take some deep breaths. Think happy thoughts. Do this for 5-10 minutes.
• When ready, retake the reading. Should this reading remain the same, contact your provider for guidance.

If you retake the reading, the second reading is generally the more reliable of the two as you have had time to relax. If you have a home blood pressure monitor, bring it in to your next appointment to verify its accuracy.

Finding Trends
Every person is different. While a range may be a good general guide, what works for someone, may not work for others. We make adjustments based on trends over time. A singular reading may not accurately represent the average blood pressure. When blood pressure is taken consistently, trends over time are able to be identified. Before making any changes, Dr. Munjal searches for an explanation (i.e. new diet, fluid retention, weight changes, medication changes, stress, sleep, etc.). You can review our previous post “Kidney Korner: Introduction to Blood Pressure” to help identify why you may be experiencing changes in your blood pressure. 

How Dr. Munjal Helps:
Based on individual diagnoses and needs, Dr. Munjal can:

• Order specialized lab tests
• Adjust medications
• Make lifestyle and/or diet recommendations
• Identify trends to begin to determine cause
• Continue to monitor qualifying patients closely on the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program
• Suggest health trackers through the Patient Portal and Healow App for ease of access to history of readings at appointments
• Provide blood pressure logs for ease of tracking readings

Munjal’s Musings:
Think of your blood pressure like a car. When you steer the front, the back end tends to follow. The same goes for blood pressure. When you focus on and adjust the systolic (top number), the diastolic (bottom number) tends to follow. This can be said for most people but is not applicable to all.

If you have questions or concerns about your blood pressure readings, please do not hesitate to reach out to your primary care or nephrologist. We are here to help and guide you. As always, stay safe and healthy!

​This website is for informational and educational purposes ONLY. While we strive for accurate, general medical information, this does not replace professional medical advice. Do not rely solely on this information. Please consult with your physician for more information regarding your specific needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

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