What is diastolic blood pressure?

Diastolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, specifically during the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle. This is the period when the heart muscle relaxes after contraction, allowing the chambers of the heart to fill with blood. During this time, the pressure within the arteries is at its lowest point, reflecting the resting state of the circulatory system.

This measurement is crucial for understanding overall cardiovascular health, as it provides insight into the resistance in the arteries when the heart is not actively pumping blood. A normal diastolic blood pressure indicates that the arteries are in a healthy state of relaxation and are capable of accommodating blood flow with minimal resistance during the resting phase.

The other options describe different aspects of blood pressure. The pressure during heart contraction pertains to systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The peak pressure in the circulatory system is generally associated with systolic pressure as well. Lastly, the pressure in veins during relaxation does not accurately describe diastolic blood pressure, as it focuses on a different part of the circulatory system altogether.