Final answer:
The statement regarding systemic blood pressure is false; proper systolic pressure should be around 120 mm Hg. Systolic pressure is the first number in the blood pressure measurement and reflects ventricular contraction. Abnormally high or low systemic blood pressure can cause health issues, thus monitoring and maintaining it within the normal range is crucial for health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that systemic blood pressure must stay above 60 to ensure proper filtration is false. When measuring systemic arterial blood pressure, two values are recorded: the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure, which is the higher of the two, should typically be around 120 mm Hg in adults and reflects the pressure during ventricular contraction. It is important for systolic pressure to be neither too high nor too low. A normal adult systolic pressure ranges from 90-119 mm Hg, with 120-139 mm Hg considered prehypertension, and 140 mm Hg or higher indicating hypertension.
The question of whether Alex's blood pressure of 135/90 mm Hg is normal can be answered with the information provided. The first number (135) is the systolic pressure, and it is higher than the normal range, indicating prehypertension. When the systolic pressure reaches 135 mm Hg, the ventricles are contracting and ejecting blood. Alex's doctor may advise lowering the blood pressure to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Methods of reducing blood pressure include lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and sometimes medication.