Volume 2, Number 2, April-May 2005

Isolated systolic hypertension
Mike Kirby

Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) – an increase in the higher of the two numbers when blood pressure (BP) is measured – is the commonest type of high BP in older people over the age of 60. The systolic pressure used to be dismissed as less important than the lower number – diastolic BP – but studies have shown that it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. ISH accounts for up to 75% of the overall incidence of uncontrolled hypertension in the elderly and appears to be more common in women than men.

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