Why Is My Top Blood Pressure Number High but the Bottom Normal?

Why is your top blood pressure number high when the bottom number is normal? A reading of 160/70 can be confusing, especially after age 60. But a normal bottom number does not mean an elevated top number is harmless. In this video, Dr. Greg Dudash, M.D., explains why the two numbers can move farther apart as we age, what pulse pressure tells us about our arteries, and what matters most for protecting cardiovascular health. You'll learn: What systolic and diastolic blood pressure mean. How to calculate pulse pressure using a reading such as 160/70. Why the aorta and other large arteries often become stiffer with age. Why arterial stiffness is not the same thing as cholesterol plaque. What a wide pulse pressure can—and cannot—tell us about cardiovascular risk. Why controlling elevated systolic blood pressure is more important than chasing a particular pulse-pressure number. Practical steps to improve blood-pressure control and measure it accurately at home. When unusual readings or accompanying symptoms deserve medical attention. *RELATED VIDEO* Blood Pressure After 60: What's the Right Number?    • Blood Pressure After 60: What's the Right ...   *VIDEO CHAPTERS* 00:00 Why a reading of 160/70 matters 00:58 What is pulse pressure? 01:50 Why our arteries become stiffer with age 03:30 Arterial stiffness versus cholesterol plaque 04:00 What pulse pressure means for treatment 05:30 Managing the high top number 07:55 Is a bottom number of 70 too low? 09:00 Other possible causes of a wide pulse pressure 09:30 Getting accurate blood-pressure readings 10:55 When to seek urgent medical help *ABOUT DR. GREG DUDASH* Dr. Greg Dudash is a retired family physician and experienced professor of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. His videos explain common medical conditions, medications, and the physiology behind them in straightforward language. *MEDICAL DISCLAIMER* This video is for general medical education and does not provide personalized medical advice. Blood-pressure targets and treatment decisions depend on individual health circumstances. Discuss your own readings, symptoms, and medications with your healthcare professional. Seek emergency medical assistance for potentially serious symptoms. #BloodPressure #PulsePressure #SystolicHypertension