MedCa Electrocardiogram (EKG) Practice Exam

The correct choice is diastolic pressure, as it represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. During this phase, the heart's ventricles are filling with blood, and the pressure in the arteries drops. This measurement is crucial for understanding the overall cardiovascular health, as it reflects the minimum pressure exerted on arterial walls during the heart's relaxation phase. Diastolic pressure is particularly important in assessing conditions like hypertension, where sustained high diastolic readings can lead to serious health risks.

Systolic pressure, in contrast, is the peak pressure in the arteries during the heartbeat when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the circulation. Central venous pressure measures the pressure in the thoracic veins, reflecting the volume status of the patient and the function of the right heart. Pulsatile pressure refers to the pressure variation during the cardiac cycle but is not specifically defined as the measurement when the heart is at rest. These distinctions help clarify why diastolic pressure is the correct answer.