By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It reflects the stroke volume the heart ejects and the stiffness of the large arteries, so it can add context that either number alone does not provide. This calculator subtracts the two values and flags a wide pulse pressure using the commonly cited 60 mmHg mark.
The systolic-diastolic gap and what it can suggest.
Pulse pressure = SBP − DBP
A pulse pressure around 40 mmHg is typical in healthy adults. A value of 60 mmHg or more is often described as wide and can accompany arterial stiffness, aortic regurgitation or other conditions. A narrow pulse pressure can appear in low-output states. These are associations, not diagnoses, and a single reading is not enough to interpret them.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pulse pressure | The systolic minus diastolic difference in mmHg. |
| SBP | Systolic blood pressure in mmHg. |
| DBP | Diastolic blood pressure in mmHg. |
For 120/80, pulse pressure = 120 − 80 = 40 mmHg, which is typical. For 160/70, pulse pressure = 160 − 70 = 90 mmHg, well above the 60 mmHg mark used to describe a wide pulse pressure. The second reading also has a higher systolic value, so the two features should be interpreted together.
Blood pressure is usually reported as two numbers, and most people focus on the first. The difference between them carries independent information because it depends on how much blood the heart ejects with each beat and how readily the aorta expands. A stiff aorta produces a higher systolic peak and a lower diastolic trough, widening the gap. That is why pulse pressure tends to rise with age even when mean pressure is unchanged. The measure is not a stand-alone diagnosis: heart rate, valve function and body size all influence it. Track it over time under similar conditions, and bring a persistent change to a clinician rather than adjusting medication based on one reading.
Continue with the Mean Arterial Pressure Calculator, QTc Calculator, or the CHA2DS2-VASc Calculator — or browse more cardiology tools and all health calculators.
Around 40 mmHg is commonly cited for healthy adults at rest, though values vary with age and heart rate. There is no single cutoff that defines health for every person, and pulse pressure is interpreted alongside systolic and diastolic pressures.
Blood pressure, ECG and risk scores are screening aids, not diagnoses. A single reading can be misleading; trends and proper technique matter. Scores estimate population risk and do not replace clinical assessment, anticoagulation decisions or emergency care.
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Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
Content updated: September 2026