Which statement correctly defines systolic and diastolic pressures?

• A. Systolic pressure is the peak arterial pressure during ventricular contraction; diastolic pressure is the arterial pressure during ventricular relaxation
• B. Systolic pressure is the arterial pressure during relaxation; diastolic during contraction
• C. Systolic pressure is the average pressure, diastolic is arterial pressure
• D. Systolic pressure is only present during diastole; diastolic only during systole

Answer: (A)

Understanding this concept starts with when the heart beats. Systolic pressure is the peak arterial pressure reached during ventricular contraction as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Diastolic pressure is the arterial pressure during ventricular relaxation when the heart chambers fill. Therefore, the higher number on a blood pressure reading is systolic, and the lower number is diastolic. The other statements misplace the timing or mix in an average concept, or wrongly claim diastolic pressure occurs only during relaxation in a confusing way. In short, systolic corresponds to contraction, diastolic to relaxation.