Relias Hypertension Practice Test

Systolic pressure is defined as the maximum pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart. This phase is known as systole, when the ventricles of the heart contract and pump blood into the aorta and throughout the body's circulatory system. The measurement of systolic pressure reflects how much pressure blood exerts against the artery walls while the heart is actively pumping. Understanding this concept is crucial for recognizing how blood pressure readings relate to heart function and overall cardiovascular health.