The Arterial System - Systolic Pressure

Two important blood-pressures are studied by Nature Cure practitioners investigating a case of arterial tension. The first is that recorded in the large arteries when the left ventricle—that is, the large pumping chamber of the heart—has contracted and with its powerful action forced the blood into the arteries. This naturally causes an increase in the blood-pressure already in the artery and this, the highest pressure recorded, is called the systolic pressure.

This is the reading usually taken as important in all cases of high blood-pressure, and in medical circles it is reckoned that it should be roughly one hundred plus the age of the person; that is, a person who is forty years of age should have a pressure of one hundred and forty. In the practice of Nature Cure it appears that this guide is too high.

The systolic pressure varies from the normal in accordance with changes in the structure of the body, but when it is very high it always betokens one thing, namely, that the heart is being strained excessively. A high pressure also means that the heart, although being strained, is strong. This is naturally a good thing; and when the strain on the heart is relaxed, recovery can be rapid.

The heart is a specialised form of muscle, and is extremely strong because of the work it has to do during its lifetime. Its action is so arranged that the period of rest is equal to or even greater than the period of work, and in normal circumstances this prevents the heart from becoming tired. If it is forced, however, to work against an enormous pressure, the energy expended by the heart is greater than normal and weakness results. The body, recognising this, compensates in several ways, but naturally the greatest help to the heart is when the blood-pressure is lowered.

A high systolic pressure can also mean that fluidity of the bloodstream is suspect. There are several causes of this, and the workings of the kidneys, skin and lungs must be examined. In Nature Cure we are concerned with the whole body and not with individual upsets, and each organ must be included in the treatment. When this is done, it can be confidently expected that the bloodstream will regain its correct viscosity.

If, for any reason, the arterial walls have become hardened, the resistance to the passage of blood will naturally be very much increased, and a higher pressure required to force the blood to the distant part of the body. Arterio-sclerosis due to any cause tends to raise the -blood-pressure, because the heart naturally does everything in its power to force the blood to every tissue.