Blood pressure is the pressure generated
by the blood circulating on the walls of blood vessels. The circulating
blood pressure is high near the heart when it contracts (Systolic).
Systolic
Blood pressure may vary depending on the activity, surrounding
temperature, diet taken, state of mind (emotional), physical posture
and medication used.
Systolic blood pressure
Blood pressure
reading is the measurement of the force generated at the walls of the
arteries when the heart pumps blood through the body. For every beat of
the heart, blood pressure varies between systolic and diastolic
pressures. Systolic pressure is peak pressure in the arteries, which
generated at the end of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are
contracting.
Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters
of mercury (mmHg) and it is noted as 2 numbers, example 110 over 70
(i.e. 110/70). The top number (110 mmHg) is the systolic blood pressure
reading. It represents the maximum pressure generated when the heart
contracts.
Importance of systolic blood pressure reading
When
a person’s age advances the importance of systolic blood pressure too
increases. Systolic blood pressure is known to rise with age as a
result of the hardening of the arteries.
