Word: Systolic Pressure
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: Systolic pressure is the measurement of blood pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood. It is the higher number in a blood pressure reading.
Explanation: When your heart contracts (or beats), it pushes blood out into your arteries. The pressure of this blood against the walls of the arteries is called systolic pressure. It is usually measured with a tool called a sphygmomanometer, which gives you two numbers. The systolic pressure is the first (or top) number.
Usage Instructions: - You can use "systolic pressure" when discussing health, especially in relation to heart health or blood pressure readings. - It’s important for people to know their systolic pressure as it helps indicate how well the heart is functioning.
Example Sentence: "My doctor said my systolic pressure is a bit high, so I need to exercise more and eat healthier."
Advanced Usage: In medical contexts, systolic pressure is often discussed alongside diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. A typical blood pressure reading is written as "120/80 mmHg," where "120" represents the systolic pressure.
Word Variants: - Systolic (adjective): relating to the contraction of the heart. - Example: "The systolic phase of the heartbeat is when the heart pumps blood."
Different Meaning: In a non-medical context, “systolic” does not have other meanings, as it specifically relates to heart function and blood pressure.
Synonyms: - Blood pressure (in the context of the heartbeat) - Contraction pressure (less common)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "systolic pressure," as it is a technical medical term.
Summary:Systolic pressure is an important measurement for understanding heart health. Remember that it refers to the pressure during the heart's contraction and is essential for monitoring blood pressure levels.