What is the highest reading of blood pressure called?

What is the highest reading of blood pressure called?

• A. Diastolic
• B. Systolic
• C. Pulse Pressure
• D. Mean Arterial Pressure

Answer: (B)

The highest reading is the systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pushes blood out into the vessels (ventricular systole), producing the peak value in a blood pressure reading. The lower number is the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the heart is relaxed between beats. Pulse pressure is simply the difference between the two readings, and mean arterial pressure is a weighted average that reflects overall pressure during the cardiac cycle, not the peak. So, in a typical reading like 120/80, 120 represents the systolic (highest) pressure.

The highest reading is the systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pushes blood out into the vessels (ventricular systole), producing the peak value in a blood pressure reading. The lower number is the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the heart is relaxed between beats. Pulse pressure is simply the difference between the two readings, and mean arterial pressure is a weighted average that reflects overall pressure during the cardiac cycle, not the peak. So, in a typical reading like 120/80, 120 represents the systolic (highest) pressure.