Prehypertension would be diagnosed with a systolic reading of 112 to 116.

For example, normal pressure can be stated as 120 over 80, where 120 is the systolic reading and 80 is the diastolic.

The systolic reading reflects blood pressure while the heart is pumping.

The higher systolic reading of the left and right arm brachial artery is generally used in the assessment.

The number at which blood starts flowing (120) is the measure of the maximum output pressure of the heart (systolic reading).

Men with systolic readings of 128 to 138 at at the start of the study had a 50% increase in risk.

Nomenclature for systolic readings varies among medical groups.

A normal systolic reading is typically 120.

Researchers found that those with higher systolic readings (the upper number) were more likely to develop narrowed arteries.

The systolic reading (the number on top) measures the pressure within the arteries as your heart beats out blood.