Back
Print 

Diastolic blood pressure

Skip Navigation

Top of the page

Diastolic pressure is the pressure of blood against the artery walls between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood. It is the second or lower number in a blood pressure reading.

For example, if the diastolic pressure is 80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and the systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg, the blood pressure is recorded as 120/80 and read as "120 over 80."

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.