Blood pressure denotes the pressure of the flowing blood through the blood vessels of the body. When the heart pumps in the blood, it moves through the vessels and puts pressure against the walls of the blood vessels. They are measured using two readings, systolic and diastolic. The systolic pressure is the one that measures the bloods pressure on the walls of the blood vessels when the heart is pumping or beating. Conversely the diastolic pressure is the measure of the pressure when the heart is at rest or not pumping the blood. The blood pressure readings are mentioned with a composite two number figure that reads like this 120/80. The first number is the systolic pressure and the second one is the diastolic pressure. Usually a systolic pressure of 120 is normal. Anything beyond that you have a minor high systolic blood pressure. Anything above 140 and you have a high systolic blood pressure.
A person with high systolic blood pressure is also known as an isolated systolic hypertension patient. Hypertension or increased blood pressure causes the blood vessels, specially the tiny ones that are located at other end of the heart, to be exerted a lot of stress. These tiny blood vessels are the worst sufferers and the constant pressure of the blood flowing through them and the pressure exerted on the walls causes the blood vessels to harden and become less elastic. This is dangerous as this can cause the person to have future blockages and also cause strokes.
High pressure is a condition that is caused by poor diet, consumption of fatty foods which causes cholesterol in the blood vessels, increased work related tensions and a poor lifestyle. Smoking and consuming nicotine also causes high systolic blood pressure. Consuming omega 3 fatty acids enriched food such as fish and beans can keep the cholesterol down and the pressure away.