Isolated Systolic High Blood Pressure

In isolated systolic high blood pressure (isolated systolic hypertension, or ISH), Reference systolic Opens New Window blood pressure is elevated (above 140 mm Hg), but Reference diastolic Opens New Window blood pressure stays below 90 mm Hg. This type of high blood pressure is more common in older adults, especially older women. In fact, the majority of people older than 60 who have hypertension have isolated systolic hypertension.

If you are older than 50, a systolic blood pressure over 140 mm Hg is an important risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

ISH can cause damage to organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart, or eyes. And it should be treated.

Treatment includes lifestyle changes and medicines that lower blood pressure. Medicines include:

• Reference Diuretics.
• Reference Calcium channel blockers.
• Reference Beta-blockers.
• Reference ACE inhibitors.
• Reference ARBs.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is effective for treating isolated systolic hypertension. For more information, see:

Reference Reference High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet.

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