Blood pressure represents the force exerted by your blood against the walls of your arteries as it circulates throughout your body. This measurement is typically presented as two numbers, written as a fraction, such as 120/80 mm Hg. The first number provides information about the pressure during a specific phase of your heart’s activity, offering insights into your cardiovascular health.
What is Systolic Blood Pressure?
Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It reflects the maximum pressure within your arteries during the moment your heart contracts and pumps blood out into the body. This phase is known as systole, where the heart muscle actively squeezes to propel oxygenated blood through the aorta and into the vast network of arteries. It measures the pressure when the heart is most active, delivering blood to organs and tissues. This measurement indicates the strain placed on your arterial walls during the heart’s most strenuous work.
Why Systolic Pressure Matters
Systolic pressure provides insights into cardiovascular well-being. A consistently elevated systolic pressure indicates that your heart must work harder to push blood through your arteries. This increased workload can strain the heart muscle and blood vessels over time.
Sustained high systolic pressure, a condition known as hypertension, can lead to various long-term health concerns. It contributes to the stiffening and narrowing of arteries, which can impede proper blood flow. This can increase the likelihood of conditions affecting the heart, such as reduced blood supply leading to chest pain or a heart attack. High systolic pressure is also associated with an increased risk of stroke, kidney disease, and even certain types of dementia. For individuals over 50, systolic blood pressure is an important indicator of cardiovascular risk.
Understanding Your Systolic Reading
Interpreting your systolic blood pressure reading involves understanding established categories that health professionals use as guidelines. For most adults, a systolic reading below 120 mm Hg is considered normal.
A systolic reading between 120 and 129 mm Hg is classified as elevated blood pressure. While not yet high blood pressure, this level indicates an increased risk of developing hypertension in the future. Hypertension Stage 1 is diagnosed when systolic pressure consistently falls between 130 and 139 mm Hg. This stage often prompts recommendations for lifestyle adjustments.
Systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or higher are categorized as Hypertension Stage 2. A hypertensive crisis occurs when systolic pressure reaches 180 mm Hg or higher, requiring immediate medical attention. It is important to remember that these are general classifications, and a healthcare provider’s diagnosis is necessary to understand your specific health status.
The Connection Between Systolic and Diastolic Pressure
While this article focuses on the first number, blood pressure readings always include a second number, known as diastolic pressure. Diastolic pressure measures the force in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats, refilling with blood. Both the systolic and diastolic numbers provide a comprehensive picture of your blood pressure, reflecting different phases of the cardiac cycle. Medical professionals consider both readings together to assess cardiovascular health. Both numbers are important, but systolic pressure often receives more focus due to its association with certain health risks, particularly as people age.