What is systolic blood pressure number?

Answer 1

My top number of my blood pressure high but the bottom is good, could it be the food I'm eating

Comments

No, it's hypertension. It's common with a high top number and a normal bottom number, this is classified into high blood pressure.

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My blood pressure is 152 / 93 should I be concerned I do have high blood pressure

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@Sheilia Williams    
Yes, 152/93 it's high blood pressure, you'll need to start medication.

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I'm taking blood pressure meds but my systolic number is high and the bottom number and heart rate are normally in range

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How much is your BP? And heart rate? What drugs are you taking?

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If your diastolic blood pressure is above 60, you can consult your doctor about adding another antihypertensive drug. If you're not taking enough antihypertensive drugs, your doctor may recommend increasing the dose instead.

Answer 2

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:

• Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.
• Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.

Sometimes, people call them the top number/the bottom number. 

Answer 3

My reading is 135/97, should I be concerned? My friend said it's less than 140 so it's okay. She said the second number doesn't matter. I do want a second opinion. 

Comments

Ms. Bair, you're right to seek a second opinion, even the top number is normal, the bottom one is high, this reading is also a high reading.  Will recommend you consult your local cardiologist. However, at this reading, a low sodium diet can help a lot. you should try.

Answer 4

Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure (the first number) as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to the increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term buildup of plaque and an increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease.

However, either an elevated systolic or an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure. According to recent studies, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.