The New England Journal of Medicine: Focused Cardiac Ultrasonography for Right Ventricular Size and Systolic Function Top number, called systolic pressure. The top number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Bottom number, called diastolic pressure.

Understanding the Context

The bottom number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as ... A blood pressure reading has two numbers: Top number, called systolic pressure.

Key Insights

The top number is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Bottom number, called diastolic pressure. The bottom number is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. The American Heart Association classifies healthy blood pressure as ... Isolated systolic hypertension happens when the top blood pressure number is 130 mm Hg or higher and the bottom number is less than 80 mm Hg.

Final Thoughts

Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common type of high blood pressure, especially in older age. Isolated systolic hypertension can be caused by conditions such as: Artery stiffness. Pulse pressure is determined from the two numbers of a blood pressure reading. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The top number is called systolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.

The bottom number is called diastolic pressure. This is ... Those numbers are the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. Because of the pumping action of the heart, the pressure within the arteries cycles between a higher pressure and a lower pressure.