Final answer:
Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are important when considering the treatment of hypertension. Elevated systolic pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attack, while high diastolic pressure indicates blood vessels are not dilating properly. Doctors consider both readings to properly diagnose and manage hypertension.
Step-by-step explanation:
When doctors are considering treating a person for hypertension, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are important. The systolic pressure, which is the higher value, reflects the arterial pressure during ventricular contraction, while the diastolic pressure, which is the lower value, represents the arterial pressure during ventricular relaxation.
Elevated systolic pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attack, while high diastolic pressure indicates blood vessels are not dilating properly, which can strain the heart. To properly diagnose and manage hypertension, doctors consider both readings.