Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries.
Blood pressure rises and falls during the day. When blood pressure stays
elevated over time, it is called high blood pressure or hypertension.
Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers — the systolic
pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (when the
heart is at rest). A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg
or higher is considered high blood pressure, another term for
hypertension.
What is systolic blood pressure?
Systolic pressure is the force of blood in
the arteries as the heart beats. It is shown as the top number in a
blood pressure reading. High blood pressure is 140 and higher for
systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure does not need to be high for you
to have high blood pressure.
Is isolated systolic hypertension common? (ISH)
Yes. It is the most common form of high blood pressure for older
people. Systolic blood pressure increases with age, while
diastolic increases until about age 55 and then declines. About 65
percent of hypertensives over age 60 have ISH. You may have ISH and
feel fine. As with other types of high blood pressure, ISH often
causes no symptoms. To find out if you have ISH — or any type of
high blood pressure — see your doctor and have a your blood pressure
tested.
Is isolated systolic hypertension dangerous?
Any form of high blood pressure is dangerous if not properly
treated. Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important, but, for
some, the systolic is especially meaningful. That's because, for those
persons middle aged and older, systolic pressure gives a better
diagnosis of high blood pressure.
If left uncontrolled, high systolic pressure can lead to stroke,
heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney damage, blindness, or
other conditions. While it cannot be cured once it has developed, ISH
can be controlled.
Clinical studies have proven that treating a high systolic pressure
can saves lives, greatly reduces illness, and improves the quality of
life.
Diastolic blood pressure
Diastolic pressure is the
force of blood in the arteries as the heart relaxes between beats. It's
shown as the bottom number in a blood pressure reading.
The diastolic blood pressure has been and remains, especially for
younger people, an important hypertension number. The higher the
diastolic blood pressure the greater the risk for heart attacks, strokes
and kidney failure. As people become older, the diastolic pressure will
begin to decrease and the systolic blood pressure begins to rise and
becomes more important. A rise in systolic blood pressure will also
increase the chance for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Your
physician will use both the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure to
determine your blood pressure category and appropriate prevention and
treatment activities.
Tip!
Taking the BP in an emergency situation
Get your partner to hold the patients arm out straight. Always try to
get the BP before moving off in the vehicle. Vehicle noise makes hearing
both sounds difficult. If there is a lot of noise at the scene of the
incident then put your steth away, inflate the cuff until the you can no
longer palpate the patient's radial pulse, release the air from the cuff
in the normal way and feel for the radial output returning. Note the
reading. This is the systolic pressure.
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