Diastolic

Diastolic refers to the period of time when the heart is in a state of relaxation and dilation (expansion). The term is often used in reference to blood pressure, as in diastolic blood pressure - the bottom number of a blood pressure reading.

Overview

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the body. It does this by contracting and relaxing in a cycle known as the cardiac cycle. The diastolic phase is the part of this cycle when the heart relaxes after a contraction. During this time, the heart fills with blood and prepares for the next contraction.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

In a blood pressure reading, the diastolic pressure is the lower number. It represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. A normal diastolic blood pressure is lower than 80. A diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 is considered prehypertension, and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher is considered hypertension.

Importance of Diastolic Pressure

While both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures are important, some studies suggest that the diastolic pressure may be more significant in predicting heart disease, especially in younger people. However, this is still a topic of ongoing research.

See Also

• Systolic
• Blood Pressure
• Hypertension
• Cardiac Cycle

References

Diastolic Resources
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