Pulse Pressure The difference between systolic & diastolic blood pressure Pulse Pressure = Systolic - DiastolicNormal: 30 - 40 mmHg A typical range for healthy adults, though this can extend to 50 mmHg depending on age and fitness.Narrow: 40 mmHg Common in states of increased cardiac output or vascular changes:Septic Shock (early hyperdynamic phase)Pregnancy (due to increased cardiac output)Increased ICP (e.g., brain injury, Cushing reflex)Aortic Regurgitation (backflow into the heart)Aortic Dis

If your systolic blood pressure is elevated but your diastolic is in the normal range, it’s often a sign of what’s called isolated systolic hypertension—a condition especially common in people over 50. This happens when the arteries become stiffer with age, making it harder for blood to flow during each heartbeat. While the bottom number (diastolic) reflects pressure between beats and may stay in range, the top number (systolic) rises as the heart works harder to push blood through less flexible