Systole in Blood Pressure: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Systolic blood pressure is the higher number in a blood pressure reading and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting and pumping blood. Systolic high blood pressure is a kind of hypertension. Consult a doctor if your systolic blood pressure exceeds 130 mm Hg. Systolic hypertension is most frequent in older people, but it can also affect younger people. It is frequently asymptomatic, but it can cause serious problems if left untreated. Continue reading to know What is systole in blood pressure? And its causes, symptoms, and treatments. 

What is systole in blood pressure?

Systole is the heart muscle contraction, during which the heart pumps blood out of the chambers. In terms of blood pressure, systole is the highest number in a blood pressure reading, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting and pumping blood. This is also known as the "peak" blood pressure.  The systolic pressure is the first value recorded in a blood pressure reading. The systolic pressure is 120, with a blood pressure of 120/80. "120" refers to 120 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).

What causes systolic high blood pressure?

Blood pressure refers to the amount of blood your heart pumps each minute and the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of your arteries. As you age, your arteries lose part of their natural suppleness, making them less equipped to accommodate blood flow. Plaque, a fat accumulation on the arterial walls, can also lead to artery hardening. So, if you are worried about What causes systole in blood pressure, here's the answer: Blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure, naturally rises with age. As a result, there may be no discernible cause of elevated blood pressure. Few other causes of systolic blood pressure :

1. Anemia

   Anemia occurs when there are insufficient red blood cells to provide oxygen to your body's tissues. Blood arteries can be damaged as your heart works harder to pump more blood to your body's tissues to give enough oxygen.

2. Diabetes

   High blood sugar levels in the blood can cause various health concerns, including disorders affecting your circulatory system and heart if either type 1 or 2 diabetes is not adequately managed.

3. Hyperthyroidism

   When your thyroid gland generates more thyroid hormones than necessary, this is known as hyperthyroidism.Thyroid hormone levels that are too high can impact practically every organ in the body, especially your circulatory system and heart.

4. Obstructive sleep apnea

   Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the muscles in the throat relax significantly and clog your airway while you sleep, affecting your breath to stop and restart.

This can strain your cardiovascular system and cause blood pressure to rise.

What are the Stages in Systolic Blood pressure?

A systolic blood pressure of 130-139 indicates Stage 1 hypertension, which can be treated with short-term medications and lifestyle adjustments. A systolic blood pressure of 140 or greater indicates Stage 2 hypertension, which can significantly raise the risk of heart attack or stroke and may necessitate a lengthy treatment regimen. A systolic blood pressure of 180 or greater indicates that you are hypertension and should contact your healthcare physician immediately.

What are the symptoms of systolic high blood pressure?

One of the most difficult aspects of high blood pressure is that it usually has no signs or warning symptoms. The only way to find out if you have excessively high blood pressure is to check it. Whenever it is time to have your blood pressure checked, you have various alternatives. You can have it measured as follows:

1. In your doctor's office or at a wellness checkup.
2. Using a digital blood pressure device at a pharmacy.
3. Using a home blood pressure monitor.

Why do you need to keep an eye on your Blood Pressure?

When the heart pumps, blood circulates via the arteries to the rest of the body. It is not, however, a continuous stream, as you might observe from a hose pipe. The blood flow's pulse and its force alter from moment to instant. It is highest during heartbeats (systolic pressure) and lowest during heartbeats(diastolic pressure). Both your blood pressure systolic and diastolic pressures are essential. You may have high blood pressure if the results are too high. If the levels are too low, your heart and other organs may not receive enough blood.

Complications of systolic high blood pressure:

When your high blood pressure is not controlled, it might damage your arteries. This can have a wide-ranging impact on your body and raise your risk of:

1. Heart attack

   High blood pressure may harm your coronary arteries, raising the risk of a heart artery.

2. Stroke

   Chronic high blood pressure can harm or collapse the arteries in your brain, increasing your chances of suffering ischemia, hemorrhagic, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

3. Heart failure

   Hypotension can weaken your heart's muscles, making them too weak to pump blood properly to the rest of your body.

4. Kidney failure

   Untreated high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, causing your kidneys to be unable to properly filter the toxins out of your blood.

5. Loss of vision

   Damage to the blood vessels in your eyes that can result in retinal hemorrhage and loss of vision.

6. Aneurysm

   High blood pressure can cause a section of an artery to swell and possibly rupture.

7. Dementia

    When the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain is diminished, dementia or vascular dementia can develop.

Who is prone to systolic hypertension?

Aging is possibly the most significant risk factor for isolated systolic hypertension. Other risk factors are:

• Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and vascular stiffness are examples of medical conditions.
• Obesity or having a high BMI (BMI).
• Excessive salt consumption might raise blood pressure.
• Smoking can cause artery stiffness.
• Abuse of alcoholic beverages.

Treatment of systolic hypertension - 

Systolic blood pressure can be managed in the same way that other types of hypertension are. Your systolic pressure should be less than 140 mm Hg. This can be done with lifestyle modifications, medicine, or both. Several different types of medications can be used to treat high blood pressure, including:

• Diuretics - 

These medications help the body get rid of excess water and salt, which can help lower blood pressure.

• Beta blockers -

These medications help to relax the blood vessels and slow down the heart rate, which can help lower blood pressure.

• ACE inhibitors -

These medications help to relax the blood vessels and decrease the production of a hormone called angiotensin, which can help lower blood pressure. It is important to follow your doctor's recommendations for treating high blood pressure and to continue taking any prescribed medication as directed.

Conclusion -

You can manage Systolic blood pressure in the same way that other types of hypertension are. Your systolic in blood pressure should be less than 140 mm Hg. This can be done with lifestyle modifications, medicine, or both. The treatment for high systolic in blood pressure (also known as hypertension) will depend on the severity of the condition and any underlying health problems. In some cases, lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and reducing stress may be enough to lower blood pressure. Your doctor will also seek to treat any underlying conditions that are causing or contributing to systolic blood pressure.