Pulse Pressure Calculator
Calculate pulse pressure and proportional pulse pressure from a blood pressure reading — markers of arterial stiffness and, in some contexts, cardiac output.
❤️ Clinical Reference📐 Pulse pressure = systolic − diastolic🏥 Health
Systolic BP (mmHg)
Diastolic BP (mmHg)
Age (years, optional)
Please enter valid values.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Symbol | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse Pressure Calculator | — | Pulse pressure = systolic − diastolic | mmHg |
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
Normal
124/80 mmHg.
- Pulse pressure = 124 − 80 = 44
- Within the normal 30–50 range
- Proportional pulse pressure = 44 / 124 = 0.35
✓ Pulse pressure 44 mmHg — normal
Example 2
Widened
168/72 mmHg in a 74-year-old.
- Pulse pressure = 168 − 72 = 96
- Well above 60 — markedly widened
- Typical of isolated systolic hypertension with arterial stiffening
✓ Pulse pressure 96 mmHg — widened
Example 3
Narrow
92/74 mmHg.
- Pulse pressure = 92 − 74 = 18
- Below 30 — narrow
- Proportional pulse pressure = 18 / 92 = 0.20, which is low
✓ Pulse pressure 18 mmHg — narrow
Real-World Applications
Arterial Stiffness
Widening pulse pressure with age reflects loss of elastic compliance in the large arteries.
Cardiovascular Risk
In older adults, pulse pressure has been shown to predict cardiovascular events independently of systolic or diastolic pressure alone.
Low Cardiac Output
A narrow pulse pressure can accompany reduced stroke volume, and proportional pulse pressure has been studied as a marker in heart failure.
Bedside Assessment
Pulse pressure is available from any blood pressure reading and requires no additional measurement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️
Interpreting pulse pressure in isolation
It is a derived value that gains meaning from context — age, cardiac function, volume status, and the absolute pressures it came from all matter.
⚠️
Assuming a narrow pulse pressure always means low output
Narrow pulse pressure can reflect reduced stroke volume, but also occurs with vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and measurement error.
⚠️
Ignoring cuff measurement limitations
Automated oscillometric devices estimate systolic and diastolic values, and small errors in each propagate directly into the derived pulse pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pulse pressure? ▾
The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reflecting the pressure change generated by each cardiac contraction.
What is a normal pulse pressure? ▾
Roughly 30 to 50 mmHg in healthy adults, with values above 60 generally considered widened and below 30 narrow.
Why does pulse pressure widen with age? ▾
Large arteries lose elastic compliance over time, so each stroke volume produces a greater pressure rise, driving systolic pressure up while diastolic stays flat or falls.
Is a wide pulse pressure dangerous? ▾
In older adults it has been associated with elevated cardiovascular risk, though it typically reflects arterial stiffening rather than causing harm directly.
What is proportional pulse pressure? ▾
Pulse pressure divided by systolic pressure. Low values have been studied as a marker of reduced cardiac index in advanced heart failure.