Systolic Blood Pressure Defined

Steps:

• Recall that blood pressure measures force in arteries during heart cycles.
• Identify systole as the heart's contraction phase, pushing blood out.
• Note systolic pressure as the peak arterial pressure during this ejection.
• Compare options to match the arterial focus during contraction.

Why C is correct:

• Systolic blood pressure is defined as the highest pressure in arteries when the heart contracts, ejecting blood into the aorta.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Systolic refers to contraction, not relaxation (diastole); it's arterial, not ventricular.
• B: This describes early systole in the ventricle, but systolic pressure measures arterial peak.
• D: Blood pressure is measured in arteries, not the right ventricle; left side drives systemic pressure.

Final answer: C