Definition of End-Diastolic Pressure

Blood pressure is pressure within the blood vessel on its walls. It is comprised of systolic and diastolic pressure with many factors that determine the pressure, including heart rate, blood viscosity and elasticity of the artery walls. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure measured at the point of the ventricle contraction. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure measured prior to contraction when the ventricles are filled with blood. End-diastolic pressure is a more specific way of measuring cardiac health.

Anatomy of Blood Pressure

• The heart is the key component to blood pressure as it contracts, forcing blood through arterial walls through the body. It uses a network of arteries and veins to take blood through the body and return it to the heart with fresh oxygen and nutrients from the lungs. The heart contains compartments to direct and collect blood flow. Of particular note in taking blood pressure and understanding hypertension is the left ventricle, which sends blood up and out via the aorta.

End-Diastolic Pressure

• End-diastolic blood pressure is the pressure measured at the and of the diastole. For this to be accurate, it needs to be measured prior to the contraction of the diastole. The reason is that is it measure the pressure on the walls of the diastole when it is completely filled with blood. End-diastolic pressure is usually measured at the left ventricle diastole where the blood is pumped out of the heart at the highest pressure.

Frank-Starling Law

• The Frank-Starling Law states that as there is an increase in end-diastolic volume, the heart will contract more forcefully. What happens in the increase in blood stretches the arterial walls which will then require greater exertion of the cardiac muscle to pump the blood out into the body. This naturally occurs during stressful exercise periods where blood flow is greater but can also affect a resting stroke volume. Keep in mind that stroke, in reference to end-diastolic pressure here, is referring to the volume pumped per contraction.

Risks

• High pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, can lead to series health problems such as heart attack or stroke. It is a serious condition that can lead to death. Normal end-diastolic blood pressure is 120. So a normal reading is 120/80 with the divisor being systolic blood pressure. People who are overweight, have a history of hypertension in their family or smoke are at higher risk of developing hypertension. Additionally, high alcohol consumption, salt intake and lethargic lifestyles will worsen the condition. People with diabetes are at even higher risk.

Remedies

• To prevent or control high blood pressure, patients should start by getting the facts. Having complete blood work drawn with a annual physical will give a person a real understanding of their actual conditions. Those with hypertension should stop smoking and begin an exercise regime. By improving their diet, they can also lower salt and alcohol intake while losing weight.

Medicines

• Medications can help reduce blood pressure. Diuretics help expel sodium while beta-blockers force the heart to slow down and beat with less force. Calcium channel blockers prevent constricting while alpha blockers reduce nerve impulses. Vasodilators relax arterial muscles. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and receptor blockers work to reduce the effects of angiotensin hormones that cause blood vessel narrowing.