Pulse Pressure Calculator: Understand Normal, Low & High Pulse Pressure and Its Impact on Heart Health

🩸What is Pulse Pressure?

Pulse pressure represents the force that the heart generates each time it contracts. It gives important clues about:

• Stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected by the heart)

• Arterial stiffness

• Cardiac output and vascular compliance

🩺 Definition

Pulse Pressure (PP)=Systolic BP−Diastolic

For example, if your blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, then Pulse Pressure = 120 – 80 = 40 mmHg.

💓 Normal Range of Pulse Pressure

• Normal pulse pressure: 30 to 50 mmHg

• Narrow (low) pulse pressure: < 30 mmHg

• Wide (high) pulse pressure: > 60 mmHg

⚕️ Clinical Significance

🔹 Low (Narrow) Pulse Pressure (< 30 mmHg)

Indicates reduced stroke volume or cardiac output.
Possible causes include:

• Heart failure

• Aortic stenosis

• Hypovolemic shock

• Blood loss or dehydration

🩸 Example: BP = 90/70 → PP = 20 mmHg → Suggests poor cardiac output

🔹 High (Wide) Pulse Pressure (> 60 mmHg)

Often indicates increased stroke volume or decreased arterial compliance (stiff arteries).
Possible causes include:

• Aging and arteriosclerosis

• Aortic regurgitation

• Hyperthyroidism

• Fever or anemia

• Exercise (temporary widening is normal)

🩸 Example: BP = 160/80 → PP = 80 mmHg → May indicate arterial stiffness

💡 Relation with Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

Pulse Pressure contributes to calculating Mean Arterial Pressure, which reflects average perfusion pressure in arteries during a single cardiac cycle.

MAP= (DBP) + (1/3 x PP)

So, a change in Pulse Pressure also affects tissue perfusion.

📖 References

1. Hall JE, Guyton AC. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021. Chapter 15, Vascular Distensibility and Functions of the Arterial and Venous Systems; p. 184–186.

2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). High blood pressure: understanding the numbers [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024 [cited 2025 Nov 5]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heart disease facts [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024 [cited 2025 Nov 5]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/