Which of the following best describes the term 'systolic' in relation to blood pressure?

The term 'systolic' refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out into the arteries. During this contraction, the pressure in the arteries rises and is measured as the systolic blood pressure. It is the top number in a blood pressure reading and indicates the maximum pressure exerted on the arterial walls during heartbeats. This is critical in assessing cardiovascular health, as elevated systolic pressure can signal risks for conditions such as hypertension or heart disease.