London -According to new data that is being revealed by doctors in Britain, tracking the top blood pressure number, or the Systolic blood pressure may be adequate for most patients over 50 years of age.
The information and data suggest that for tracking and keep tabs on hypertension and patients suffering from the effects of high blood pressure tracking the systolic blood pressure may be enough.
The pressure exerted at the beginning of the heart pumping cycle is what the top number, or systolic blood pressure represents.
Doctors in Britain maintain that communicating both numbers to patients can be at times confusing, and that using the one number, or the systolic pressure can in most cases be enough to make sure of the health of the patient.
In a new study that will be published in the June 17, 2008 online version of the online medical journal, Lancet, doctors will demonstrate their belief that using the single blood pressure measure is often enough to make sure of the health and well being of the patient.
The doctors maintain that if patients would take note of their systolic pressure and pay attention to it’s ranking, that overall compliance and patient health would be improved.
There is too much emphasis, doctors in Britain maintain, on the diastolic, or resting heart pressure.
“We simply feel that for patients over the age of 50 the important measurement is the Systolic blood pressure reading,” said Dr. Bryan Williams.
Williams is the professor of medicine at the UK University of Leicester and the Leicester Royal Infirmary, and the co-author of the “Lancet” article to be published online.