What is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading called?

The bottom number of a blood pressure reading is referred to as the diastolic pressure. This figure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats and is filling with blood. It is a critical measurement because it provides information on how well the heart is able to fill and how well the blood is flowing through the arteries during the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.

In a standard blood pressure reading, the systolic pressure is indicated as the top number, which measures the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart when blood is pumped out. The diastolic pressure, on the bottom, reveals how much pressure remains in the arteries when the heart is not actively pumping. A healthy diastolic reading is essential for understanding cardiovascular health, as high diastolic pressure can indicate stiff arteries or increased total peripheral resistance.

In contrast, terms like pulsatile and cardiac do not specifically relate to the classification of blood pressure readings, making diastolic the most appropriate contextually relevant term in this scenario.