Understanding Systolic vs. Diastolic Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know

Receiving a high blood pressure reading should be used as a warning sign. Leading to many potential negative conditions, it is important to take the time to understand the effects of high blood pressure---especially since the condition affects over 30 percent of adults in the United States.

Systolic vs. Diastolic

• Systolic pressure is a measurement of the pressure with which the blood hits the wall of the artery during moments of contraction of the heart. This is the higher number.

  Diastolic pressure is a measurement of the pressure with which the blood hits the wall of the artery during moments in-between contractions of the heart. This is the lower number.

Age

• The importance of each number is dependent upon age. Younger people naturally have lower systolic pressures---making diastolic readings more important. Aging causes the inverse relationship and makes systolic pressure a more accurate reading of blood pressure the older you are.

Differences

• For adults, a high systolic pressure, while maintaining a normal diastolic pressure is generally considered worse than both having high readings. This is also known as isolated systolic hypertension.

High Results

• Readings of systolic pressure over 140 and diastolic pressures over 85 are considered to be high blood pressure readings.

Dangers

• Heart-attacks, strokes and numerous other serious conditions can be caused by the onset of hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension; therefore, it is essential to diagnose and treat conditions early.