What is the term for the pressure in an artery when the heart is at rest?

The term for the pressure in an artery when the heart is at rest is known as diastolic blood pressure. This measurement occurs during the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. During this phase, the pressure in the arteries decreases as the heart chambers expand to accommodate the incoming blood. Diastolic blood pressure is crucial because it indicates the minimum pressure in the arteries, ensuring that there's enough pressure to allow for the continuous flow of blood throughout the body even when the heart is not actively pumping.

Understanding diastolic blood pressure is key to assessing cardiovascular health, as it provides insight into the resistance that the heart must overcome during the systolic phase when the heart contracts. The distinction from systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure during heart contraction, highlights the different phases of the cardiac cycle and their contributions to overall cardiovascular function.