Definition - What does systolic blood pressure mean?
Systolic blood pressure is the top number when a person's blood pressure is measured. It is the pressure exerted when the heart pumps the blood. Specifically, it is the pressure exerted on your arteries as the blood is forced through them by the beat of the heart. Systolic blood pressure is usually considered the more critical of the two blood pressure measurements, systolic and diastolic.
SureHire explains systolic blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure is a way to measure the function of the heart and circulatory system and find problems before they become critical. Systolic pressure is considered normal if below a reading of 120. As systolic blood pressure rises, health risks rise. If the pressure rises far enough, generally around 180 or higher, an individual can experience chest pains, stroke symptoms, nose bleeds, dizziness, and blood in the urine. At this level, emergency treatment is vital. Between the normal reading and the dangerous high end readings, are levels that can often be treated with lifestyle changes and mild medications if found in time. Health fairs and company wellness programs can often offer blood pressure screenings that can make it easy for an employee to keep on top of their blood pressure before it gets out of control.
