Which term refers to the lower number in a blood pressure reading?

The correct answer is diastolic, which refers specifically to the lower number in a blood pressure reading. Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers: the systolic pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and the diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.

The diastolic number indicates how much pressure is in the arteries when the heart is at rest, providing crucial information about the state of cardiovascular health. It is important for determining the overall pressure profile of the circulatory system.

The other terms mentioned have distinct meanings: systolic is the upper number and indicates the pressure during heartbeats; pulse pressure represents the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures; and mean arterial pressure is a calculation used to estimate the average arterial pressure throughout one cardiac cycle. Understanding these terms and their functions is essential for interpreting blood pressure readings and assessing heart health.