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Pulse Pressure Calculator

Subtract diastolic from systolic blood pressure — get the pulse pressure plus clinical interpretation (narrow, normal, wide) and an age context note.

Blood pressure (mmHg)

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Clinical bands

Narrow
< 40 mmHg
Normal
40 – 60 mmHg
Wide
> 60 mmHg

Formula

PP = SBP − DBP

Pulse pressure reflects stroke volume and large-artery stiffness. A narrow value can signal low cardiac output (heart failure, aortic stenosis, shock); a wide value flags arterial stiffening, aortic regurgitation or hyperthyroidism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pulse pressure?+
Pulse pressure (PP) is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure: PP = SBP − DBP. It reflects the force the heart generates with each contraction and the compliance of the large arteries.
What is a normal pulse pressure?+
40 to 60 mmHg at rest is generally considered normal in adults. Values below 40 are narrow; values above 60 are wide.
Why does a narrow pulse pressure matter?+
A narrow PP (< 40 mmHg) can indicate reduced stroke volume — e.g. heart failure, aortic stenosis, cardiac tamponade, or hypovolemia. Persistent narrow PP with symptoms warrants cardiac evaluation.
Why does a wide pulse pressure matter?+
Wide PP (> 60 mmHg) usually reflects arterial stiffening with age but can also indicate aortic regurgitation, severe anemia or hyperthyroidism. In older adults a wide PP is an independent cardiovascular risk marker.
How does age affect pulse pressure?+
Pulse pressure tends to rise after age 50 as large arteries lose elasticity. A PP of 50–60 in a 70-year-old is far less concerning than the same value in a 25-year-old.
Does this replace a clinical assessment?+
No. Pulse pressure is one number in a wider clinical picture that includes SBP, DBP, heart rate, symptoms and history. Use this calculator for self-tracking or education, not diagnosis.

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Pulse Pressure Calculator Guide: Formula, Normal Values, Narrow vs. Wide

7 min