What is the highest pressure level called when taking a patient's blood pressure, indicated by the first sound heard?

The highest pressure level during a blood pressure measurement is known as systolic pressure. This value is measured when the heart contracts and pumps blood out into the arteries, which creates the maximum pressure in the arterial walls. The first sound that is detected through a stethoscope while taking blood pressure indicates this systolic phase, as the blood starts to flow through the artery once the pressure in the cuff is reduced below this level.

Diastolic pressure, in contrast, is the lower number in a blood pressure reading and occurs when the heart is at rest between beats. Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure and reflects the force that the heart generates each time it beats. Average arterial pressure is a calculated value that reflects the average blood pressure in a person’s arteries during one cardiac cycle. These concepts are important in understanding overall cardiovascular health and the mechanics of blood circulation.