How blood pressure works: systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure

In this episode, I am joined by Dr Raymond Townsend, Director of the Hypertension Programme at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss what drives high blood pressure, how it affects the body, and practical steps to protect your heart, kidneys and brain.

Dr Townsend explains how genetics, age, lifestyle and arterial stiffness contribute to hypertension, how to measure blood pressure correctly, and why early action and empathy make such a difference in long-term outcomes.

What We Cover

• Understanding blood pressure readings
• How hypertension harms the heart, brain and kidneys
• Lifestyle and genetic contributors
• Why arterial stiffness increases with age
• The right way to measure blood pressure
• When lifestyle changes or medication are needed

High blood pressure is preventable, manageable and worth your attention long before symptoms appear.

• Introduction (00:00)
• Key Takeaways from 40 Years in Hypertension (01:14)
• What does “hypertension” actually mean? (08:54)
• How Blood Pressure Works: Systolic vs diastolic explained simply (12:10)
• Why High BP Is Dangerous: Heart, brain & kidney damage mechanisms (14:35)
• What Are the Main Causes of Hypertension (28:03)
• The Aging Process and Blood Pressure (33:50)
• Can arteries stay flexible and young through exercise and recovery (37:46)
• Why even young adults should care about blood pressure control (40:01)
• Dementia and Blood Pressure: The Long-Term Connection (41:16)
• Awareness and Diagnosis of Hypertension (43:52)
• Measuring Blood Pressure Correctly (47:10)
• When to Intervene: Thresholds and Treatments (56:52)
• Primary vs. Secondary Prevention (01:01:56)

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