Pulse Pressure
Pulse pressure is the swing in arterial pressure per heartbeat. Values of 60 mmHg or more are read as a sign of arterial stiffness.
Your numbers
Pulse pressure
50mmHg
Percentage
38.5%
What it means
A pulse pressure of 50 mmHg is in the usual 30–50 range.
Formula
Pulse pressure = Systolic − Diastolic
With age, diastolic pressure falls while systolic rises, so pulse pressure naturally widens.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Systolic (mmHg)The higher reading, when the heart squeezes. | 130 | 50 ~ 260 |
| Diastolic (mmHg)The lower reading, when the heart relaxes. | 80 | 30 ~ 160 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Systolic (mmHg) changes and everything else stays put.
| Systolic (mmHg) | Pulse pressure (mmHg) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | -15 | -23.1 |
| 97.5 | 18 | 17.9 |
| 130 | 50 | 38.5 |
| 195 | 115 | 59 |
| 260 | 180 | 69.2 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Pulse pressure (mmHg)Systolic minus diastolic — a hint at how stiff the arteries are. | 50 |
| Percentage (%)A share expressed out of 100. | 38.5 |
Common mistakes
With age, diastolic pressure falls while systolic rises, so pulse pressure naturally widens.
Glossary
- Systolic
- The higher reading, when the heart squeezes.
- Diastolic
- The lower reading, when the heart relaxes.
- Pulse pressure
- Systolic minus diastolic — a hint at how stiff the arteries are.
- Percentage
- A share expressed out of 100.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Pulse Pressure calculated?
Pulse pressure = Systolic − Diastolic — Pulse pressure is the swing in arterial pressure per heartbeat. Values of 60 mmHg or more are read as a sign of arterial stiffness.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Systolic 130mmHg, Diastolic 80mmHg, the answer is Pulse pressure 50mmHg.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Systolic, Diastolic. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Systolic (mmHg) moves the answer to Systolic (mmHg) 65 → Pulse pressure (mmHg) -15 and Systolic (mmHg) 260 → Pulse pressure (mmHg) 180. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
With age, diastolic pressure falls while systolic rises, so pulse pressure naturally widens.
Related calculators
These calculators help you understand health figures; they do not replace diagnosis or prescription. See a clinician if you have symptoms.