What does systolic blood pressure measure?

Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries during the heart's contraction phase, specifically when the ventricles are pumping blood out of the heart. This is the phase when the heart beats, and it reflects the highest level of pressure exerted against the arterial walls. Measuring this pressure is crucial as it provides insights into how well the heart is functioning and the health of the blood vessels.

In contrast to other types of blood pressure measurements, such as diastolic pressure, which occurs when the heart is at rest and the chambers of the heart fill with blood, systolic pressure is indicative of the heart's performance under exertion. Understanding this measurement is foundational for assessing cardiovascular health, as consistently high systolic pressure can indicate health risks such as hypertension.