Pulse pressure: values, table, and what it means
Pulse pressure shows how far apart the upper and lower blood pressure readings are. With a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, the pulse pressure is 40 mmHg. It is also called pulse amplitude or blood pressure amplitude and can indicate how elastic the large blood vessels are.
Quick explanation: Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is given in mmHg. A single pulse pressure value is not yet a diagnosis – what matters are repeated measurements, the trend over time, and looking at systolic and diastolic blood pressure together.
In this article, you'll learn:
- What is pulse pressure?
- Calculate pulse pressure
- Pulse pressure table: low, normal, or high?
- What does PP mean on a blood pressure monitor?
- Interpret pulse pressure
- Causes of high pulse pressure
- Causes of low pulse pressure
- Current findings
- Frequently asked questions about pulse pressure
- Bottom line
What is pulse pressure?
Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the top number, and diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number. So pulse pressure does not describe the pulse, but rather the pressure range between the two blood pressure values.
Example: If your blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, the systolic value is 120 mmHg and the diastolic value is 80 mmHg. In this case, the pulse pressure is 40 mmHg.
Medically, pulse pressure is interesting because it is related to the elasticity of the large arteries. If the vessels are elastic, they can cushion the heart's pressure wave more effectively. If they become stiffer – for example with increasing age or changes in the blood vessels – pulse pressure can rise.
Pulse pressure, pulse pressure amplitude, and blood pressure amplitude
In everyday language, the terms pulse pressure, pulse amplitude, and blood pressure amplitude usually mean the same thing: the difference between the upper and lower blood pressure values. In medical texts, the terms pulse pressure or pulse amplitude are often used.
Pulse pressure and vascular resistance
To balance the pressure fluctuations between systole and diastole, arteries close to the heart in particular have a high proportion of elastic fibers. This elasticity helps turn intermittent blood flow into as steady a flow as possible.
Remember: arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart into the body's circulation. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
The pronounced elasticity of the main artery (the aorta) is called the Windkessel function of the aorta. The comparison originally comes from hydraulics: a pressure reservoir (Windkessel) smooths out pressure fluctuations and creates a more even flow. Similarly, the aorta cushions the pressure wave that occurs with every heartbeat.
If the aorta's Windkessel function weakens – for example due to aging processes or calcification – the heart has to work harder against the resistance of the vessels. As a result, systolic blood pressure, and therefore pulse pressure, can increase.
Calculate pulse pressure
Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting diastolic blood pressure from systolic blood pressure:
Pulse pressure = systolic blood pressure – diastolic blood pressure
A simple example:
Systolic blood pressure: 120 mmHg
Diastolic blood pressure: 80 mmHg
Pulse pressure: 120 – 80 = 40 mmHg
Pulse pressure, like blood pressure, is reported in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
If you document your blood pressure regularly, you can also track pulse pressure over a longer period of time. This is especially helpful because a single value can be strongly influenced by the measurement situation, time of day, activity, stress, or measurement errors.
Pulse pressure table: low, normal, or high?
There are no uniform official cutoff values for pulse pressure like there are for classifying blood pressure. That's why the following table is only meant as a guide and does not replace a medical assessment.
| Pulse pressure | Classification | What does that mean? |
|---|---|---|
| around 40 mmHg | often unremarkable | In adults, a pulse pressure in this range is often considered typical. |
| below around 30 mmHg | low or narrow pulse pressure | Can occur, for example, with reduced stroke volume, blood loss, or certain heart conditions. The overall health situation is what matters. |
| above around 50 to 60 mmHg | high or wide pulse pressure | Can occur, among other things, with stiffer arteries, isolated systolic hypertension, or certain heart valve conditions. |
| significantly outside this range or newly abnormal | seek medical assessment | Especially important if you have symptoms, your systolic blood pressure is high, or your pulse pressure changes significantly over time. |
Important: A normal pulse pressure does not make excessively high systolic or diastolic blood pressure harmless. In clinical practice, blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg or higher are considered high blood pressure and should be assessed by a doctor.
What does PP mean on a blood pressure monitor?
Some blood pressure monitors or apps display pulse pressure as "PP" or "PP mmHg." The abbreviation comes from the English term "pulse pressure." In German, "PP value" is less common; the clearer terms are pulse pressure, pulse amplitude, or blood pressure amplitude.
If your blood pressure monitor shows, for example, 120/80 mmHg and also "PP 40 mmHg," this means that your pulse pressure is 40 mmHg.
For German-speaking users, the most important thing is therefore: "PP" is not an additional new blood pressure value, but just an abbreviation for the calculated pulse pressure.
Interpret pulse pressure
Using Tensana, you can monitor your pulse pressure. The app shows not only your systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but also your pulse and pulse pressure in a graphic display. This way, you can follow how your pulse pressure develops over time.
That might sound complicated, but the following example makes it easy to understand:
In this image, you can see a display of blood pressure, pulse, and pulse pressure values as they appear in the app.
The green and red lines show systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The pulse is shown in blue, and pulse pressure in yellow.
In this example, on May 1, 2021 the blood pressure was 129/87 mmHg. That results in a pulse pressure of 42 mmHg (129 – 87 = 42 mmHg). Over the course of time, small fluctuations in blood pressure can be seen. The yellow line shows how pulse pressure develops over time.
In many cases, a change in pulse pressure is a slow process. That's why regular, long-term recording is more helpful than assessing individual readings.
If you're unsure whether your pulse pressure values are unusual, or if the values rise or fall significantly over time, ask your doctor for advice. The more precisely you document your blood pressure, pulse pressure, time of measurement, and accompanying circumstances, the better the values can be interpreted.
Causes of high pulse pressure
High or wide pulse pressure means that the gap between systolic and diastolic blood pressure is large. Most often, the systolic value is elevated while the diastolic value stays normal or even drops.
Possible causes of high pulse pressure include:
- arteries becoming stiffer with age
- isolated systolic hypertension
- arteriosclerosis or other changes in the blood vessels
- intense endurance training or a very large stroke volume of the heart
- insufficiency of the aortic valve
- overactive thyroid gland
- significant iron deficiency or other conditions that affect circulation and blood flow
Age and vessel elasticity
During the natural aging process, large arterial blood vessels often become stiffer. Elastic fibers decrease, while rigid components and calcifications can increase. The result: the heart pumps against less elastic vessels, systolic blood pressure rises, and pulse pressure can become larger.
In general, systolic blood pressure tends to rise with age, while diastolic blood pressure stays the same or falls. If only systolic blood pressure increases above 140 mmHg, this is called isolated systolic hypertension. This is especially common in older people and should be treated and/or monitored by a doctor.
An example
Herbert regularly has blood pressure readings of 150/95 mmHg. These values are too high and are referred to as high blood pressure.
Manfred regularly has blood pressure readings of 150/80 mmHg. In Manfreds case, only the systolic value is elevated; the diastolic value is within the normal range. This is called isolated systolic hypertension.
Should Herbert and Manfred see a doctor because of their blood pressure readings?
Yes. Both persistently elevated systolic values and persistently elevated systolic and diastolic values should be medically assessed.
Endurance sports
An increased pulse pressure can also occur in well-trained endurance athletes. Training can increase the heart's stroke volume. As a result, systolic blood pressure can be higher, while the diastolic value can be lower due to lower vascular resistance. The gap between the two values becomes larger.
A sporty lifestyle is generally beneficial for health. However, whether an increased pulse pressure is relevant in a specific individual who is very athletic should be assessed individually.
High pulse pressure: symptoms
High pulse pressure usually doesn't cause clear, specific symptoms on its own. Complaints are more likely related to the underlying cause, for example high blood pressure, heart valve disease, or other cardiovascular conditions. You should seek medical advice especially for persistently unusual readings, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, a sudden drop in performance, or newly occurring symptoms.
Causes of low pulse pressure
Low or narrow pulse pressure means that the gap between systolic and diastolic blood pressure is small. This can be harmless, but it should be taken seriously if it is new, pronounced, or accompanied by symptoms.
Possible causes of low pulse pressure are:
- reduced pumping performance of the heart
- heart failure
- blood loss or lack of fluids
- aortic stenosis
- cardiac tamponade
Low pulse pressure: possible complaints
Low pulse pressure can come with fatigue, weakness, dizziness, cold sweats, shortness of breath, a racing heart, or circulation problems. If symptoms appear suddenly, or if there is fainting, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or suspected blood loss, call for medical help immediately.
Do men and women have the same pulse pressure?
In early adulthood, women are less likely than men to have elevated pulse pressure. In older age, however, pulse pressure in women can rise more quickly and more sharply. A study comparing 22 studies found similar differences even in non-industrialized countries. This suggests that biological aging processes play an important role.
This indicates that women at an advanced age should pay special attention to their cardiovascular health.
Current findings on pulse pressure
While blood pressure has long played a central role in medicine, pulse pressure has received more attention only for a few decades. In particular, researchers have been studying the relationship between increased pulse pressure and cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or atrial fibrillation.
Pulse pressure and cardiovascular events
Scientific studies suggest that higher pulse pressure may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, especially in middle-aged and older people. What's important here is that studies show associations, but they don't always prove that pulse pressure alone is the cause.
With high blood pressure
A study that summarized three scientific studies involving more than 7,900 people found that higher pulse pressure in people with high blood pressure may be associated with a higher risk of complications in the cardiovascular system. Whether these results apply equally to younger people is unclear.
Without known cardiovascular disease
Researchers have also investigated whether pulse pressure can provide additional clues about risk in people without known cardiovascular disease. Some studies found indications that pulse pressure can be meaningful in certain groups, especially when systolic blood pressure rises and the diastolic value stays the same or decreases.
Pulse pressure and atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a common chronic heart rhythm disorder in adults and it increases, among other things, the risk of stroke. In a long-term study with more than 5,000 participants, higher pulse pressure was associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation occurring later on.
Pulse pressure and stroke
A stroke is caused by a disruption of blood flow or bleeding in the brain. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors. Studies suggest that increased pulse pressure may also be related to stroke risk. However, for medical treatment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values remain especially important.
Frequently asked questions about pulse pressure
How large can the difference between systole and diastole be?
In adults, pulse pressure is often around 40 mmHg. A persistently very large or very small difference should be assessed by a doctor, especially if your overall blood pressure is elevated or if you have symptoms.
What pulse pressure is normal?
There are no uniform official cutoff values. As a rough guide: pulse pressure around 40 mmHg is often unremarkable. But age, pre-existing conditions, blood pressure readings, and the trend over time are what matter most.
Is low pulse pressure dangerous?
Low pulse pressure is not automatically dangerous. However, it should be checked by a doctor if it is new, very low, or accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, fainting, or circulation problems.
Is high pulse pressure dangerous?
High pulse pressure can indicate stiffer arteries, isolated systolic high blood pressure, or other conditions. Medical assessment is especially important when systolic blood pressure is persistently elevated.
What's the difference between pulse and pulse pressure?
Your pulse indicates how often your heart beats per minute. Pulse pressure, on the other hand, is the difference between the top and bottom blood pressure values. A pulse of 70/min and a pulse pressure of 40 mmHg describe two different things.
How is pulse pressure measured?
Pulse pressure isnt measured directly; its calculated from systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Many automatic blood pressure monitors or apps show it as well. If it isnt displayed, you can calculate it yourself: top number minus bottom number.
Bottom line
Pulse pressure is a simple calculated value that can provide additional clues for interpreting blood pressure. It shows the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and is, among other things, related to the elasticity of the large blood vessels.
Especially in middle-aged and older people, persistently increased pulse pressure may be an indication of a higher cardiovascular risk. Low pulse pressure can also be relevant, particularly if symptoms occur or if the value suddenly changes significantly.
What remains important: pulse pressure does not replace the assessment of the actual blood pressure values. A normal pulse pressure is not an all-clear if the systolic or diastolic blood pressure is too high.
Tip:
Sources:
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This article is from Tensana – the leading app since 2011, helping hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 06/2026).
Author Dr. med. univ. Lisa Raberger studied medicine at the Medical University of Vienna and gained broad clinical experience at several hospitals. Now a full-time medical writer, she communicates evidence-based specialist knowledge to a global audience while ensuring reliable, easy-to-understand information.
Author Dr. med. univ. Lisa Raberger studied medicine at the Medical University of Vienna and gained broad clinical experience at several hospitals. Now a full-time medical writer, she communicates evidence-based specialist knowledge to a global audience while ensuring reliable, easy-to-understand information.
