Heart Your Family's Guide to Understanding the Heart

Systolic Blood Pressure

A high systolic blood pressure predicts the risk of cardiovascular disease better than an increase in diastolic blood pressure do. Though this was observed more than three decades ago, still no attempt was made to translate this evidence into practice until in 1993, when isolated systolic hypertension was recognized as an important target for the control of blood pressure.

Although associated with more variability when measured, it is still easier to determine systolic blood pressure and it allows more appropriate risk stratification compared to diastolic blood pressure.

In a recent analysis of a heart study made, by only knowing the systolic blood pressure the stage of blood pressure in 99% of adults over age 60 are correctly classified whereas knowing the diastolic blood pressure allowed only 66% to be correctly classified. By definition, isolated systolic hypertension is a systolic blood pressure more than or equal to 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg and is the most common form of hypertension. Its prevalence increases with age, which occurs in two thirds of people who are 65 years of age and three quarters of those over 75 years old.

The benefits obtained from treating systolic blood pressure have been clearly documented. Trials made have shown significant reductions in stroke, coronary vascular disease, heart failure, and mortality rate when treating patients with isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure is more than 150 or 160 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure is less than 90 mm Hg).

When systolic blood pressure was reduced by at least 20 mm Hg and to less than 160 mm Hg or less than 150 mm Hg, there’s a 35-40 reduction in stroke, a 50 reduction in heart failure, a 16% reduction in coronary events, and a 10-15% reduction in mortality rate occurred. The benefits of treating stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension have still not yet been shown in a clinical trial. Though none of the clinical trials achieved a systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg, consensus statements suggest that outcome should improve further if this goal is achieved.

By: Jhayknee

Systolic Blood Pressure Recommended Resources:

University of California

Health Link - Medical College of Wisconsin

Ephraim Smith 14.04.09 at 00:25am

Anti-hypertensive therapy will most likely reduce the patient's possibility for stroke. Elderly patients are the most likely victim

Carolyn Schiro 02.12.09 at 12:52pm

I have been on blood pressure medication for over 10 years. I stay within normal range from 115/70 to 125/68 and then out of the blue it will go way up like to 186/90 or sometime only 70 or 80 for no reason. I will be normal for months sometime and then go for two to three days with it high and then back to normal again. About two times in all the years I have been on medication it went 200/98 or a bit more and then within a hour or so it comes back down. What causes this. I see my doctor and he changes medication last time he lowered it as it was so normal and a bit to low for my age of 70 at the time. I am 72 now. Is thereanything that can keep it within range or do I have kind of BP that will do this. When this happens I panic bad and feel I make it go highter each time I take it. Will be looking for your answer. Thank You

Joyce Baumunk 01.05.10 at 19:20pm

If one is on a ventilator and has a blood pressure of 95/34 after he has had dialysis is he close to death and might his bp go up? or will it continue to drop?

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