Understanding Systolic Blood Pressure

Introduction

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the maximum pressure exerted on the walls of your arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood throughout the body. It is the first (or top) number in a blood pressure reading (e.g., 120/80 mmHg).

Why is Systolic Blood Pressure Important?

Systolic pressure is a crucial indicator of cardiovascular health. Elevated SBP can indicate hypertension, increasing the risk of:

  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney disease

Normal and Abnormal Values

  • Normal SBP : Below 120 mmHg
  • Elevated SBP : 120-129 mmHg
  • Hypertension Stage 1 : 130-139 mmHg
  • Hypertension Stage 2 : 140 mmHg or higher
  • Hypertensive Crisis : Over 180 mmHg (requires immediate medical attention)

Causes of High Systolic Blood Pressure

  • Aging-related arterial stiffening
  • High salt intake
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Hormonal disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism)
  • Sedentary lifestyle

How to Lower Systolic Blood Pressure?

  • Reduce salt intake
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Manage stress
  • Take prescribed medications if needed

When to See a Doctor?

If your systolic pressure remains consistently above 130 mmHg, consult a doctor to assess underlying causes and manage risks accordingly.

Source recommendations

1. American Heart Association Hypertension Guidelines

  1. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
  2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000065
  3. https://www.heart.org/
  4. https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2017-hypertension-clinical-guidelines
  5. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings

2. European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension

  1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Elevated-Blood-Pressure-and-Hypertension
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37345492/
  3. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/33/3021/5079119
  4. https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(24)00238-3/fulltext
  5. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/34/28/2159/451304

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