What is the term for the pressure inside the arteries during ventricular contraction?

The term that describes the pressure inside the arteries during ventricular contraction is systolic. This pressure occurs when the ventricles of the heart contract, pushing blood into the arteries. The peak pressure reached in the arteries during this contraction is referred to as systolic pressure. It reflects the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries at this moment.

In contrast, diastolic pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, allowing the heart chambers to fill with blood. Pulsatile describes the rhythmic nature of the pressure changes within the arteries but does not specifically identify the pressure associated with contraction. Cardiac, while related to the heart, does not specifically address the pressure during contraction, making it a broader term that encompasses all cardiac-related pressures. Thus, the correct focus on ventricular contraction clearly identifies systolic as the appropriate term.