Pulse pressure: what the gap between your numbers means

Pulse pressure is simply the difference between your two blood pressure numbers: the systolic (top) minus the diastolic (bottom). A reading of 120/80 mmHg gives a pulse pressure of 40 mmHg, which is around the typical value. The size of that gap can offer a clue about the health of your arteries, though on its own it is never the whole story.

This guide explains how to work out your pulse pressure, what counts as normal, high, or low, and when the gap between your numbers is worth discussing with a doctor.

How to work out your pulse pressure

Every blood pressure reading has two numbers, measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The top number, systolic, is the pressure as your heart beats and pushes blood out. The bottom number, diastolic, is the pressure while your heart rests between beats. If you are not sure which is which, our guide to systolic vs diastolic breaks it down.

To find your pulse pressure, subtract the diastolic from the systolic. For 118/78, the pulse pressure is 40. For 150/70, it is 80. For 110/90, it is 20. The same overall reading can hide very different gaps, which is why pulse pressure adds a little extra information on top of the two numbers themselves.

What a normal pulse pressure looks like

For most healthy adults, a resting pulse pressure of around 40 mmHg is typical, and values roughly in the 40 to 60 range are generally considered normal. There is no single official cut-off the way there is for blood pressure categories, so clinicians read pulse pressure alongside the full picture rather than as a standalone score.

Pulse pressure naturally varies through the day and tends to rise with age, because large arteries stiffen over time. That is normal to a degree, which is why a slightly wider gap in an older adult is interpreted differently from the same gap in a younger one.

What a high (wide) pulse pressure means

A pulse pressure above about 60 mmHg is often described as wide. The most common reason is stiffening of the large arteries, especially the aorta, which happens gradually with age and is more pronounced with long-standing high blood pressure. Mayo Clinic notes that a higher pulse pressure most often reflects this arterial stiffness.

Research has linked a wide pulse pressure to a greater risk of heart and blood vessel problems, particularly in older adults, which is why it is a marker clinicians pay attention to. Less commonly, a wide gap can relate to other conditions such as a leaky aortic valve or an overactive thyroid. A wide pulse pressure is a prompt for assessment, not a diagnosis in itself. Lowering high blood pressure through the usual habits, covered in how to lower blood pressure, also tends to help the overall picture.

What a low (narrow) pulse pressure means

A narrow pulse pressure, sometimes described as less than about a quarter of the systolic value (for example, under 25 on a systolic of 100), means the gap between the numbers is unusually small. This can happen when the heart is pumping out less blood with each beat, for reasons ranging from significant blood loss or dehydration to heart failure or a narrowed aortic valve.

A narrow gap alongside symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, or fatigue is more meaningful than the number alone. As with a wide pulse pressure, it is a signal to look closer, not a verdict.

Why accuracy matters before you read too much into it

Pulse pressure is only as reliable as the reading it comes from. A poorly taken measurement can distort both numbers and the gap between them. Rest quietly for five minutes, sit with your back supported and feet flat, keep the cuff at heart level and the right size, and average two or three readings a minute apart. Our guide to measuring blood pressure at home covers the technique, and tracking several readings tells you far more than any single gap. For the wider map of categories, see understanding your blood pressure readings.

When to see a doctor

Pulse pressure is one piece of information, best interpreted by a clinician alongside your full readings and health history. Raise it with your doctor if your pulse pressure is consistently wide (above about 60 mmHg), if it is unusually narrow, or if it comes with symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, chest discomfort, or fainting.

Seek urgent help right away if you record a reading higher than 180/120 mmHg, especially with chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or numbness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking, as this can signal an emergency. If you faint or feel very unwell, treat it as urgent. When in doubt about any reading or symptom, speak with a healthcare professional. This guide is general information and does not replace personalised medical advice.

Log this reading in CardioVibe

Pulse pressure is easiest to make sense of as a trend, not a one-off. You can log your readings free in CardioVibe, which keeps both numbers in one place so you and your doctor can see how the gap behaves over time. It supports your care rather than replacing it.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal pulse pressure?

Around 40 mmHg is typical for a healthy adult, with roughly 40 to 60 generally considered normal. There is no single official cut-off, so it is read alongside your full blood pressure and health history.

Is a high pulse pressure dangerous?

A wide pulse pressure, above about 60 mmHg, is linked to greater cardiovascular risk, mainly because it often reflects stiffer arteries. It is a reason to be assessed, not an emergency by itself, so discuss a persistent wide gap with your doctor.

What causes a low pulse pressure?

A narrow gap can occur when the heart pumps less blood per beat, from causes such as dehydration, significant blood loss, heart failure, or a narrowed aortic valve. If it comes with symptoms, see a clinician.

How do I lower a high pulse pressure?

Because a wide pulse pressure usually relates to high blood pressure and arterial stiffness, the same steps that lower blood pressure help: less salt, more activity, a healthy weight, and any treatment your doctor recommends.