Systolic

Systolic refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries. This term is often used in reference to blood pressure, where the systolic pressure is the maximum pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's left ventricle.

Overview

The term "systolic" comes from the Greek word "systole," meaning "a drawing together or a contraction." In the context of the cardiac cycle, systole is the phase where the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out of the heart and into the circulatory system. This is in contrast to diastole, the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is at rest and filling with blood.

Systolic Blood Pressure

Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries each time it beats. For example, if your blood pressure is "120 over 80," the systolic pressure is 120. Normal systolic blood pressure is less than 120, but high systolic blood pressure (a reading of 130 or higher) is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Clinical Significance

Systolic blood pressure is an important indicator of cardiovascular health. High systolic blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. It's important to monitor and manage high systolic blood pressure to reduce these risks.

See Also

• Diastolic
• Blood pressure
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease

References

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