systolic pressure
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The maximum arterial blood pressure during a single heartbeat cycle: Systolic pressure is the higher of the two numbers in a blood pressure reading, representing the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle contracts (systole) to pump blood into the circulatory system.
Usage
- Systolic pressure is a key vital sign and medical measurement.
- It is always expressed as a numerical value, typically in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and is the first number in a blood pressure reading (e.g., 120 in "120/80").
- It is used to assess cardiovascular health and diagnose conditions like hypertension.
Examples
- Noun:
- A normal systolic pressure for an adult is typically less than 120 mm Hg.
- The doctor was concerned because the patient's systolic pressure had risen to 160.
- Monitoring your systolic pressure is crucial for managing heart health.
Advanced Usage
- "Elevated systolic pressure": A condition where the systolic reading is consistently above the normal range, often a precursor to hypertension.
- The study focused on treatments for patients with isolated elevated systolic pressure.
Variants and Related Words
- Diastolic pressure (n): The lower number in a blood pressure reading, representing the arterial pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
- Blood pressure (n): The pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries, of which systolic pressure is a component.
- Pulse pressure (n): The numerical difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure readings.
Synonyms
- Systolic blood pressure: A full, formal synonym.
- Top number (informal): A common informal reference to the systolic reading in a blood pressure measurement.
Related Terms and Phrases
- Hypertension: The medical term for high blood pressure, often defined by elevated systolic and/or diastolic readings.
- Sphygmomanometer: The device used to measure blood pressure, including systolic pressure.
Noun
- the blood pressure (as measured by a sphygmomanometer) during the contraction of the left ventricle of the heart