What distinguishes systolic blood pressure from diastolic blood pressure?

Systolic blood pressure is defined as the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood into the system. This moment of contraction generates a higher pressure, which is crucial for determining how much blood is being pushed through the circulatory system at that moment. Therefore, when blood pressure is measured, the systolic number reflects this peak pressure created by heart contractions.

In contrast, diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. This is the low point of the pressure cycle, critical for assessing cardiac health but distinct from the pressure during systole, which is characterized by the heart's rhythmic contraction. Understanding this distinction is essential for accurately interpreting blood pressure readings and their implications for cardiovascular health.