Which reading represents the pressure in the arteries during heart contractions?

The reading that represents the pressure in the arteries during heart contractions is known as the systolic pressure. During the contraction phase of the heart, specifically when the ventricles pump blood into the arteries, the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries is at its highest. This peak pressure that occurs during this phase is referred to as the systolic pressure and is the first number recorded in a blood pressure reading.

This measurement is vital because it indicates how well the heart is functioning to pump blood through the circulatory system. A high systolic pressure can be a sign of various health issues, including potential heart disease or increased risk of stroke.

In contrast, diastolic pressure reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats, mean arterial pressure provides an average blood pressure in a person’s arteries during a single cardiac cycle, and pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. Each of these measures provides important information about cardiovascular health, but only systolic specifically pertains to the pressure during heart contractions.