Reasons Why Diastolic Blood Pressure Won't Decrease

There are several factors that can contribute to persistent high diastolic blood pressure, also known as the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. Understanding these causes is essential for effective management and long-term health improvement.

1. Inadequate Lifestyle Modifications

Dietary habits play a crucial role in blood pressure regulation. Consuming more than the recommended 6 grams of salt per day can significantly hinder efforts to lower diastolic pressure. Sodium intake directly affects blood volume and arterial pressure, making salt restriction a key component of any blood pressure management plan.

Weight management is another critical factor. For example, someone who is 1.7 meters tall and weighs 100 kilograms will likely experience elevated diastolic readings due to increased vascular resistance and cardiac workload. Without achieving a healthier weight range, blood pressure control becomes increasingly difficult.

Stress levels also have a major impact. Individuals who work 18 or more hours per day without adequate rest place their bodies in a constant state of physiological stress. This chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system contributes to sustained elevations in diastolic blood pressure.

2. Suboptimal Medication Dosage or Regimen

In cases where diastolic pressure remains above 110 mmHg, monotherapy with a single blood pressure medication is often insufficient for adequate control. Effective management may require combination therapy using two or even three different classes of antihypertensive drugs.

Medication adjustment under the guidance of a healthcare professional is essential in such scenarios. Physicians may increase the dosage of existing medications, add new drug classes, or modify treatment timing to achieve better 24-hour blood pressure control. Commonly used combination therapies might include agents such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics working synergistically to reduce diastolic pressure to target ranges.

Regular monitoring, medication review, and lifestyle counseling should be integral components of any comprehensive hypertension management strategy aimed at achieving and maintaining optimal diastolic blood pressure levels.