Systolic Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is always given as two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures and both are important. The systolic pressure is the top number, and the diastolic pressure is the bottom number (for example, 130/80).  If your blood pressure is 130/80, you say that it is "130 over 80".

Both of these numbers don't have to be high for you to have high blood pressure. Either one of them or both can be elevated for you to suffer from raised blood pressure.

High systolic blood pressure occurs at a pressure of 140 and higher, and whilst the diastolic pressure doesn't need to be high for you to have high blood pressure when you're systolic blood pressure is high and your diastolic blood pressure is low, the condition is called isolated systolic hypertension or ISH for short. About 65 percent of hypertensive's over the age 60 suffer with ISH.

Isolated systolic high blood pressure is probably the most common form of high blood pressure for older people in the Western world, and for most westerners, the systolic blood pressure increases with age, while diastolic increases until about the age of 55 and then falls into a decline.

You may suffer ISH and feel completely well, because as with other types of high blood pressure, ISH often very often causes no tangible symptoms.  To discover if you do suffer with ISH or any other type of high blood pressure you should always consult your doctor and have your blood pressure checked. The test is very quick and painless.

Any type of elevated blood pressure can be dangerous if it is not properly treated.  Both numbers in the blood pressure test are very important, but, for some people, the systolic blood pressure is particularly significant. In middle aged and older people, the systolic pressure tends to give a much better diagnosis of elevated blood pressure.

If it is left uncontrolled, elevated systolic pressure can lead to instances of stroke, heart conditions such as attacks and congestive heart failure, kidney damage, blindness, and other serious conditions.  Whilst it cannot be cured once it has manifested, ISH can be controlled by correctly prescribed drugs.

Clinical studies have proven treating high systolic pressures saves lives and greatly reduce illness, and also improve the quality of life for many people. Yet most westerners do not have their high systolic pressure under control.

Treatment options for ISH are the same as for other types of high blood pressure, in which both systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures are high : lifestyle changes and/or medications.  The key for any high blood pressure treatment is to bring the condition under proper control as soon as possible.

Your blood pressure should be kept under control to less than 140/90 mmHg.  If your blood pressure is not within this range, it may be a good idea to ask your doctor why it isn't better controlled. They will probably be able to give you some good advice on medication change, or lifestyle tips.