Isolated Systolic Hypertension
Updated September 18, 2007.
Definition:
Isolated systolic hypertension is an elevation in only the systolic component of your blood pressure (the upper number of your reading). Diastolic pressure (lower number) remains normal or only slightly elevated.
Isolated systolic hypertension is more common in older people and is thought to be associated with tissue changes in response to the aging process.
Studies have shown that isolated systolic hypertension is an avoidable consequence of aging, but it appears to affect older people in western countries (USA, European Union) more often than people of the same age in middle eastern or eastern nations.
Research on isolated systolic hypertension has uncovered several risk factors that may contribute to the development of this disease. These include:
Isolated systolic hypertension can be successfully managed with medication, though treating this disease is often more difficult than treating common (primary) hypertension.
Definition:
Isolated systolic hypertension is an elevation in only the systolic component of your blood pressure (the upper number of your reading). Diastolic pressure (lower number) remains normal or only slightly elevated.
Isolated systolic hypertension is more common in older people and is thought to be associated with tissue changes in response to the aging process.
Studies have shown that isolated systolic hypertension is an avoidable consequence of aging, but it appears to affect older people in western countries (USA, European Union) more often than people of the same age in middle eastern or eastern nations.
Research on isolated systolic hypertension has uncovered several risk factors that may contribute to the development of this disease. These include:
- High cardiac output
- Elevated blood sodium levels
- Decreased tissue calcium reserves
- Increased body fat
- Decreased elastic capacity of blood vessels
Isolated systolic hypertension can be successfully managed with medication, though treating this disease is often more difficult than treating common (primary) hypertension.