Diastole too low
The lower standard value for diastole (more precisely: diastolic blood pressure) is 60-65 mmHg. If the measured blood pressure value for diastole is lower, i.e. diastole is too low, this is called hypotension (low blood pressure). As a rule, a low value for diastole causes hardly any problems because the diastolic blood pressure value plays a rather minor role in the blood supply to the organs.
Symptomless low blood pressure occurs mainly in young girls and women, but can also occur in the context of an eating disorder or pregnancy. This form of low blood pressure is called primary hypotension, which is harmless and has no direct organic cause. It is assumed that mainly hereditary factors and environmental influences play a role in primary hypotension.
There are even scientific data that prove that a permanently low diastolic pressure has a positive effect on life expectancy. In secondary hypotension, on the other hand, an organic cause can be found, i.e. that too low a diastolic is a symptom of an existing disease. Reasons for a too low diastole can be e.g. cardiovascular diseases, hypothyroidism, chronic bleeding or certain drugs.
A special form of too low blood pressure with too low diastole is the so-called orthostatic hypotension. This is a special form of low blood pressure with too low a diastolic pressure, known as orthostatic hypotension. This form of low diastole is manifested by blackening of the eyes, headaches and dizziness. Usually this form of hypotension can be controlled by slowly getting up and drinking enough, but in the heat and lack of fluids in summer this form of hypotension can more often lead to collapse (short unconsciousness).
Diastole too high
One speaks of a too high diastole (more precisely: diastolic blood pressure), if the lower blood pressure value is permanently measured above 90mmHg. This form of hypertension can either occur together with a too high systole or alone. In the second case, one speaks of isolated diastolic hypertension.
If both the diastole and the systole are too high, in 90% of the cases primary hypertension without recognizable organic causes is present.If only the diastole is too high and the systole shows normal values, this may indicate an early form of high blood pressure, but it may also be an indication of secondary hypertension, which is only the symptom of an underlying disease. Examples of diseases that can cause excessive diastole are renal artery stenosis, various hormonal disorders and diseases of the connective tissue. To date, little is known about the background of an isolated increase in diastolic blood pressure.
In some cases, hypothyroidism can be identified as the cause, so that checking the thyroid gland values during a blood test can be quite useful, if this has not already been done. If this is not the case, a drug therapy can be carried out with antihypertensive drugs such as dehydration tablets (diuretics), ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers, as is also the case with overall elevated blood pressure. The beta-blocker Nebivolol can be particularly helpful here, as it has a vasodilating effect.
Furthermore, in the case of diastolic high blood pressure, as with high blood pressure in general, a change in lifestyle is required. In the first place is a weight reduction, or rather a weight normalization. Ideally, a BMI of 25kg/m2 is targeted.
A change in diet in the sense of a low-salt and low-fat diet and giving up smoking also contribute a lot to normalizing diastolic blood pressure. Last but not least, care should be taken to ensure that sufficient exercise (and endurance sports in particular) is done. If these measures are effectively implemented, it may even be possible to avoid drug therapy. You can find extensive information under: How you can best reduce your diastole
