What is systolic blood pressure?

Systolic blood pressure refers specifically to the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles, known as systole. During this phase, blood is actively pumped from the heart into the aorta and subsequently into the arteries, resulting in the highest level of pressure within the circulatory system. This measurement is crucial as it reflects how efficiently the heart is working to supply blood to the body during periods of activity.

In contrast, options related to the lowest pressure, rest phase, or average pressure describe other aspects of blood pressure dynamics. The lowest pressure pertains to diastolic blood pressure, which occurs when the heart relaxes. The average pressure throughout the cardiac cycle is known as mean arterial pressure, an important measure for understanding overall blood flow but distinct from systolic blood pressure. Each of these concepts plays a role in cardiovascular health, but systolic pressure is specifically defined by the contraction of the heart muscle.