adjective
systolic
sis-TAH-lik/ˌsɪˈstɑːlɪk/
Relating to the contraction of the heart as it pumps blood.
The systolic contraction pushes blood from the heart into the artery.
Etymology
The “drawing together” is the heart’s contraction. Systolic describes what belongs to that contracting phase, including the blood pressure measured while the heart contracts.
In context
The first number is your systolic blood pressure -- essentially the peak pressure, produced by the contracting ventricles that push blood out to all of your tissues.
More examples
- During the systolic phase, the heart contracts and pushes blood into the arteries.
- The nurse checks my systolic pressure again after I rest.
- Systolic dysfunction reduces the heart's ability to pump blood.
Forms
systolic
systole noun — The contraction phase of the heartbeat.