What does diastolic blood pressure represent?

Diastolic blood pressure is defined as the pressure within the arteries when the heart is in a relaxed state, specifically between beats. During this phase, known as diastole, the heart fills with blood returning from the body and lungs, and the arterial walls experience the lowest level of pressure. This measurement is crucial as it helps indicate the minimum force exerted by the blood against the arterial walls.

Understanding diastolic pressure is important for assessing cardiovascular health, as elevated diastolic pressures can suggest increased resistance in the arteries and potential health issues. While the other options refer to different aspects of blood pressure or specific conditions, they do not accurately describe the state of the heart and blood vessels during the diastolic phase.