Facts about systolic blood pressure

Blood pressure

Cardiovascular or circulatory system is among the most important systems in the human body. The heart is our vital organ that pumps the fresh oxygenated blood rich in nutrients through the blood vessels to the different parts of the body. The blood in the blood vessels exerts pressure on the walls of the blood channels. It is called blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure

The blood pressure can be measured, and when we measure it, the reading always shows two numbers. The upper number refers to the systolic blood pressure, while the lower number refers to the diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the blood pressure when the heart pumps the blood, while diastolic blood pressure represents the blood pressure when the heart is relaxed and does not beat. It is considered that the normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg.

Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when systolic and diastolic blood pressures are higher than normal. Hypotension or low blood pressure is the condition when both blood pressures are lower than normal. However, it could happen that only one of the two pressures increases or decreases. Therefore, we have isolated systolic hypertension when only systolic blood pressure is higher than normal, while the corresponding diastolic blood pressure is normal. Furthermore, isolated diastolic hypertension occurs when only diastolic blood pressure is elevated, while the corresponding systolic pressure remains normal. Moreover, isolated systolic hypotension is a condition when the systolic blood pressure is lower than normal, while diastolic pressure is normal. Similarly, isolated diastolic hypotension occurs when the diastolic blood pressure is lower than normal, while its corresponding systolic blood pressure remains normal. It is considered that one suffers from isolated systolic hypertension when he/she has systolic blood pressure above 140. If the reading shows the systolic blood pressure under 90 while diastolic blood pressure is normal, then he/she suffers from isolated systolic hypotension.

When one suffers from low systolic blood pressure, the blood is unable to bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells in the different parts of the body. Therefore, the cells usually die. Even though many doctors tend to state that high diastolic pressure is more serious than high systolic pressure, one should know that isolated systolic hypertension might lead to serious conditions, such as the kidney problems and heart disorders, as well as stroke. To treat high systolic blood pressure, the doctor prescribes certain medications, but the person who suffers from this condition must make certain changes in her/his lifestyle, such as losing the body weight and avoiding salty foods.