What Are the Risks of Having a Blood Pressure Difference Less Than 20?

In daily life, some middle-aged and elderly people habitually measure their blood pressure every day, as nowadays, many people have abnormal blood pressure levels. The blood pressure difference needs to be within a certain reasonable range. If the difference is too large or too small, it is not normal and requires timely treatment to avoid causing greater harm to the body. So, what are the hazards of a blood pressure difference less than 20? Long-term maintenance of such a condition can lead to kidney atrophy or renal failure, causing significant harm to the human body.

I. Hazards of Blood Pressure Difference Less than 20

It is essential to pay attention to physical condition when the blood pressure difference is less than 20. Long-term maintenance of a small blood pressure difference can have a significant impact on the kidneys, ultimately leading to kidney atrophy and renal failure if ignored. If these symptoms appear and are not taken seriously or treated promptly, severe cases may even require dialysis or kidney transplantation as alternative treatments. A common reason for a small pressure difference is a high diastolic pressure, resulting in a smaller difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures. In such cases, the primary treatment approach is to lower the diastolic pressure to normal levels. The methods for reducing diastolic pressure are essentially the same as those for reducing systolic pressure. Therefore, by lowering the diastolic pressure to a normal level, the blood pressure difference will naturally increase.

II. Precautions for Blood Pressure Measurement

1. Regularly check the sphygmomanometer to maintain its accuracy. Place it in a stable location and avoid inverting or frequently shaking it.
2. Adjust the sphygmomanometer promptly. When inflating the cuff, do not overinflate or inflate too vigorously. After use, deflate the cuff and roll it up. Place the rubber bulb in a fixed position in the box to prevent it from being crushed by glass. If the sphygmomanometer has a switch under the mercury column, turn it off after use. If bubbles appear in the mercury column, adjust or repair it promptly and do not measure with bubbles.
3. Repeat the measurement if the sphygmomanometer is unclear or abnormal. Measure again after the mercury column has dropped to the "0" point. If necessary, measure both upper arms for comparison.
4. Closely observe the individual being measured. Try to achieve four fixed conditions: fixed time, fixed location, fixed position, and fixed sphygmomanometer.
5. For hemiplegic patients, measure the blood pressure on the healthy arm.
6. Avoid insufficient mercury to prevent errors caused by the sphygmomanometer itself, such as low blood pressure readings due to insufficient mercury. Blockage of the ventilation hole at the top of the mercury column can cause difficulties in air intake and exhalation, leading to low systolic pressure and high diastolic pressure readings.
7. When measuring blood pressure, place the "0" point of the sphygmomanometer at the same level as the brachial artery and heart to avoid the influence of blood flow. If the limb is too high, the measured blood pressure will often be low, and if the position is too low, the measured blood pressure will be high.