Systolic Hypertension

Excerpt

Isolated systolic hypertension is the predominant form of hypertension in the elderly population. Traditionally defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) above 140 mm Hg with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of less than 90 mm Hg, it is estimated that 15% of people aged 60 years and above have isolated systolic hypertension. Per the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure guidelines, however, an SBP of 130 mm Hg is now considered hypertensive at all ages. The new definition of hypertension will lead to an increased number of elderly being diagnosed with high blood pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension remains an important public health concern as chronically untreated high SBP patients carry significant mortality and morbidity.