|
|
Article: Systolic blood pressure key for elderly
- Article from:
- USA TODAY
- Article date:
- October 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Society for Advancement of Education Oct 2000. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
HYPERTENSION
Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers-the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). In the past, many physicians relied on diastolic blood pressure to diagnose hypertension. However, research has found that diastolic blood pressure rises until about age 55 and then declines, while systolic blood pressure increases steadily with age.
"Systolic hypertension is a major health threat, especially for older Americans;' cautions Claude Lenfant, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). "While it cannot be cured, systolic hypertension can be treated and its complications prevented. ...