What is the blood pressure called when the heart is actively pumping?

The term used for blood pressure when the heart is actively pumping is known as systolic blood pressure. This measurement indicates the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart muscle, which is a crucial moment when blood is being pushed out of the heart and into the circulatory system.

Systolic blood pressure is typically the higher number in a blood pressure reading, and it plays a vital role in assessing cardiovascular health. Understanding this concept is fundamental for recognizing the dynamics of blood flow and overall heart function.

In contrast, diastolic blood pressure refers to the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, mean arterial pressure is an average pressure in a person's arteries during one cardiac cycle, and pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Each of these terms has its specific context within cardiovascular physiology, but for the question regarding active pumping of the heart, systolic blood pressure is the correct terminology to use.