If the top number of your blood pressure reading is 130 or higher, you havehigh systolic blood pressure.
Hypertensionis diagnosed with a systolic reading of 130 or higher, or a diastolic reading of 80 or higher.
Both systolic and diastolic measurements are important when considering your heart’s health.
Verywell / JR Bee
This situation is much more common in older people due to the stiffening of arteries that comes with age.
People with high systolic pressure can benefit from lowering blood pressure, including lifestyle changes and medications.
Causes
High systolic blood pressure can have many causes.
As we age, our arteries stiffen, and over time this contributes to high blood pressure.
The genes we inherit can also play a role.
Certain underlying conditions like thyroid disease, cortisol excess, and obesity can also cause high blood pressure.
Medications canlower systolic blood pressure in a matter of hours to days.
Lifestyle changes, like exercising and eating a healthy diet, might take several weeks to make a difference.
Making changes to your diet can lower your systolic blood pressure by up to 11 points.
The DASH diet is low in salt, added sugars, and red and processed meats.
Limit Alcohol
Drinking alcohol in excess can contribute to high systolic blood pressure.
Limiting alcohol intake can lower systolic blood pressure by up to 4 points.
A standard drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
The nicotine in cigarettes causes arteries to constrict, resulting in a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Benefits of Quitting
Quitting smoking can add as many as 10 years to your life expectancy.
This happens because caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, causing blood vessels to narrow.
Getting a good night’s sleep may also help relieve stress.
Selection of blood pressure medication is important in older adults with systolic hypertension.
This is to help healthcare providers determine if treatments are working.
Be sure to read the instructions carefully before using.
What Is Dangerously High Systolic Blood Pressure?
If your blood pressure readings is suddenly greater than 180/120 mmHg, wait five minutes and check again.
If it’s still elevated, contact your healthcare provider right away, as it could indicate ahypertensive crisis.
Changes to diet, exercise, drug use, as well as starting blood pressure medication can help.
Talk to your healthcare provider about starting a treatment plan.
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American Heart Association.Managing blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet.
American Heart Association.How to reduce sodium.
American Heart Association.American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of quitting smoking.
Starbucks.Pike place nutrition information.
American Heart Association.Types of blood pressure medications.
American Heart Association.Monitoring your blood pressure at home.
