1. What is Blood Pressure Ratio?

Definition: The blood pressure ratio is the relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), calculated by dividing SBP by DBP.

Purpose: This ratio can provide additional insights into cardiovascular health beyond individual SBP and DBP measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( BP \) — Blood pressure ratio (unitless)
• \( SBP \) — Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
• \( DBP \) — Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)

Explanation: The systolic pressure is divided by the diastolic pressure to calculate the ratio between the two measurements.

3. Importance of Blood Pressure Ratio

Details: While absolute blood pressure values are most important clinically, the ratio can sometimes indicate arterial stiffness or other cardiovascular conditions when interpreted by medical professionals.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your systolic and diastolic blood pressure values in mmHg (from a recent measurement). Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal BP ratio?
A: A typical ratio is about 1.5-1.7 (e.g., 120/80 = 1.5), but interpretation should always be done by a healthcare professional.

Q2: Is the BP ratio used for diagnosis?
A: The ratio is not typically used alone for diagnosis but may provide supplementary information to standard BP measurements.

Q3: Why measure both SBP and DBP separately?
A: Both values provide different information about heart function and vascular health that the ratio alone cannot convey.

Q4: What if my ratio is very high or very low?
A: Consult with a healthcare provider, as extreme ratios may warrant further investigation.

Q5: How often should I check my BP ratio?
A: Regular BP monitoring is important, but focus should be on absolute SBP and DBP values rather than the ratio alone.