What does diastolic pressure measure?

Diastolic pressure specifically refers to the measurement of blood pressure in the arteries when the heart is in a relaxed state between beats. During this phase, the heart is filling with blood, and the arteries experience the lowest pressure in the cardiac cycle. This is a critical measurement as it indicates how well the arteries are capable of handling blood flow when the heart is not actively pumping.

Understanding diastolic pressure is essential for assessing cardiovascular health. A consistently high diastolic pressure can indicate potential health issues, such as hypertension or increased resistance in the arteries. It's also important to note that diastolic pressure works in conjunction with systolic pressure (the pressure during heart contraction) to give a complete picture of overall blood pressure health.