What is the lower number created when the heart relaxes between beats?

What is the lower number created when the heart relaxes between beats?

• A. Systolic pressure
• B. Diastolic pressure
• C. Mean arterial pressure
• D. Pulse pressure

Answer: (B)

During a heartbeat, arterial pressure has two key values. The lower number is diastolic pressure—the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxing between beats and filling with blood. This resting phase yields the lowest arterial pressure of the cycle, which is why it’s the lower value. Systolic pressure is the higher pressure during heart contraction, mean arterial pressure is an average level across the cycle, and pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, not a standalone reading. For example, in a reading of 120/80 mmHg, 80 is the diastolic value.

During a heartbeat, arterial pressure has two key values. The lower number is diastolic pressure—the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxing between beats and filling with blood. This resting phase yields the lowest arterial pressure of the cycle, which is why it’s the lower value. Systolic pressure is the higher pressure during heart contraction, mean arterial pressure is an average level across the cycle, and pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, not a standalone reading. For example, in a reading of 120/80 mmHg, 80 is the diastolic value.