High Systolic Blood Pressure - An Overlooked Factor

Having a high systolic blood pressure only without having abnormal diastolic blood pressure is possible. This condition is medically termed as ‘Isolated Systolic Hypertension’. There are lots of equally important things you should know with isolated systolic hypertension, than with normal hypertension per se.

For a long period of time, doctors have given systolic blood pressure little relevance and gave diastolic blood pressure enormous attention. It was conservatively believed that your body can tolerate having high systolic blood pressure. It was also believed that having high diastolic blood pressure can lead to organ damage.

However, today’s research and studies show that your systolic blood pressure is just as important as your diastolic blood pressure. You may think that it is a rare condition, but in fact, it is not.

Criteria

You may wonder when is it that you fall into the criteria of having isolated systolic hypertension. Generally, having isolated high systolic blood pressure means that you have an abnormal systolic pressure of more than 160 mmHg, coupled with a diastolic pressure reading of 90 mmHg below.

However some school of thoughts believe that isolated high systolic blood pressure is when you have a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg above, coupled with a diastolic pressure reading of 90 mmHg below.

Risk Factors

Isolated systolic hypertension is common with the elderly. For people who have an age fifty-five below, having a high diastolic pressure is of great importance. But for people who are fifty-five above, having isolated high systolic pressure is very important.

Causes of Having High Systolic Blood Pressure

There are several factors that can cause an increase in systolic blood pressure.

As with the factor of age, when you grow older, your arterial compliance diminishes. Thus, results to a higher blood pressure. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision and dizziness for the elderly.

Isolated Systolic Hypertension may also result from increased cardiac output resulting from hyperthyroidism, anemia, menopause, arteriovenous fistula, adrenal gland tumors, aortic insufficiency, and Paget’s disease.

What Awaits You

Having isolated high systolic blood pressure can lead into developing other conditions such as heart disease, dementia, heart attack, stroke, and chronic kidney problems. You also have increased risk of developing myocardial infarction,renal failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality.

Prevention And Treatments

If you are already 55 years old or above, it would be best to monitor your daily blood pressure even if you have no history of having high blood pressure. You should always keep check whether your systolic pressure is less than 140 mmHg. If it goes above that, then you should start seeking medical advice or medication.

Diuretics at proper dosages can be used to treat isolated systolic hypertension. The use of this kind of drug of people aged about 60 years old, showed significant reduction with the risks of having heart problems, kidney failures, and dementia.

Just like in managing hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension can be managed by having the right diet of fruits and vegetables, sufficient exercise, weight management, and lesser intake of sodium contenthigh foods. You can also use high blood pressure supplements to help you maintain normal level blood pressure.

So if you think you fall into the category of having isolated high systolic pressure, it would be best if you consult a physician already about your condition.