I am 88 years old, and am fairly active but my blood pressure two days ago was 170/3o Could you explain this to me, and is there a way that I can get it to a better reading. What does the top figure mean, and likewise the lower figure? Thankyou.
Hello I went through your quarry. Actually our heart is pumping to Chat Doctor. The period during which heart is contracting to pump is known as systole. After blood is pushed into arteries heart to relax for getting blood from lungs on left side and veins from right side. This filling phase during which heart is relaxing is called diastole. The blood pressure measured in peripheral artery measured during systole of heart is the top figure what is called as systolic pressure .the one measured during diastole of heart is lower figure called diastolic pressure.at your age it should be less than 150/90. In your case salt restricted diet will control it.