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Blood
Pressure Categories
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When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be used to classify blood pressure level. For example, 160/80 mmHg would be stage 2 hypertension (high blood pressure). Why Two Numbers? The top number is your systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries as the heart beats. High blood pressure is 140 and higher for systolic pressure. . Both numbers in a blood pressure test are important, but, for some, the systolic is especially meaningful. That's because, for those persons middle aged and older, systolic pressure gives a better diagnosis of high blood pressure. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure. Diastolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries as the heart relaxes between beats. The diastolic blood pressure has been and remains, especially for younger people, an important hypertension number. The higher the diastolic blood pressure the greater the risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. As people become older, the diastolic
pressure will begin to decrease and the systolic
blood pressure begins to rise and becomes more important.
A rise in systolic blood pressure will also increase
the chance for heart attacks, strokes, and kidney
failure. Both the systolic and the diastolic blood
pressure are used to determine your blood pressure
category and appropriate prevention and treatment
activities.
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