Systole - what is it? Not everyone can answer this difficult question. Therefore, we will devote this article to this topic.
general information
Systole is one of the conditions of the heart muscle. Experts say that this term refers to the contraction of the right and left ventricles, as well as the discharge of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta and from the ventricle of the right into the pulmonary trunk.
Systole is a condition of the heart muscle in which the aortic and pulmonary valves remain open, and the tricuspid and mitral valves remain closed.
Pressure
As you know, to diagnose heart and vascular diseases, as well as to determine the causes of poor health, the patient is measured diastolic and systolic pressure. Only a few know what it means.
According to experts, blood pressure at the time of systole in the blood is recorded before diastolic. We give an example. After measuring the pressure, the doctor reports a value such as 130/70. The first digit is systole (systolic pressure), and the second is diastolic.
What does it mean?
As mentioned above, when measuring blood pressure, the result consists of two numbers. The first digit (or the so-called upper, or systolic pressure) indicates what pressure the blood exerts on the blood vessels during heart contractions.
As for the second indicator, it reports pressure during relaxation of the heart muscle (i.e. diastole). As you know, it is formed due to the contraction of blood vessels (peripheral).
By measuring diastolic and systolic pressure, we can safely draw conclusions about the state of the heart and blood vessels.
Systole is the upper indicators, which depend on the intensity of the expulsion of blood, as well as the compression of the heart ventricles. Thus, the level of this pressure indicates myocardial functionality, heart rate and their strength.
As for diastole, the value of this pressure depends on three factors:
- total blood volume;
- vascular tone and elasticity;
- heart rate.
It should also be noted that the patient’s health status can be judged by calculating the numerical difference between diastolic and systolic pressure. In medical practice, this indicator is called pulse pressure. It is considered one of the most important biomarkers.
Difference between lower and upper pressure
The duration of systole can also tell about a person's condition.
In healthy people, pulse pressure varies between 30–40 mm Hg. Art. From this value, conclusions can be drawn about the functionality and condition of the cardiovascular system. If the pulse pressure is greater than the indicated values, then the patient has a high systolic pressure with a reduced or normal diastolic rate. In this case, there is an acceleration of the aging processes of the internal organs. Most affected by such pressure: the heart, kidneys and brain.
One cannot but say that excessive pulse pressure indicates real risks of cardiac pathologies and atrial fibrillation.
At low pulse pressure, a decrease in stroke volume of the heart is noted. Such a problem can occur with heart failure, stenosis (aortic) and hypovolemia.
Normal performance
In the process of calculating pulse pressure, it is extremely important to pay attention to compliance with normal indicators of diastolic and systolic pressure. In perfect condition, these values should be equal to 120 and 80 units. Of course, slight variations are possible, which depend on the age of the person and his lifestyle.
Elevated systolic blood pressure can cause cerebral hemorrhages, as well as hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. As for the excessive rise in diastolic pressure, this condition can cause chronic diseases of the urinary system and kidneys, impaired elasticity and tone of the vascular walls.
To summarize
Now you know what systole is. This term is used in cases where it is necessary to indicate the pressure exerted by the blood on the vessels at the time of heart contractions. Knowing it and measuring it when you feel unwell should be mandatory. Indeed, in time revealed low or high blood pressure can warn the patient from the development of serious disorders in the cardiovascular system, as well as death.
Observing abnormal indicators on the dial of the tonometer, it is imperative to take all necessary measures to normalize the human condition. For this purpose, patients take various drugs and consume certain foods.
In order for blood pressure to always remain normal, you must constantly monitor your health, exercise, eat right, avoid stressful situations, and more.