Systolic, diastolic BP and aging
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jul 06 2009
Q: My blood pressure is often 145/77. Is the systolic less worrisome than diastolic? My age is 61, and I am told that my borderline HBP has developed with age due to my genetics. If my blood pressure is caused by my blood vessels constricting, why didn’t it happen before, when I was younger?
A: Everyone ages differently based on life style, genetics, and other factors. As part of the aging process, blood vessels get less flexible, just like other parts of your body. This stiffness can lead to high blood pressure. High systolic pressure has been shown to increase the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. It is just as worrisome as high diastolic pressure.
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