What does diastolic blood pressure measure?

Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. During this phase, the heart relaxes and the chambers fill with blood, allowing for a temporary decrease in pressure in the arterial system. This measurement is critical as it reflects the minimum pressure that the arteries must withstand, which is essential for ensuring that blood continues to flow effectively throughout the body during the heart's resting phase.

Understanding diastolic pressure is important for assessing cardiovascular health; it provides insight into the overall, long-term pressure in the vascular system, as well as heart function. High diastolic pressure can indicate conditions related to increased vascular resistance or stiffness in the arteries, which could lead to cardiovascular problems. In contrast, the other options describe different aspects of blood pressure dynamics or other physiological processes not directly related to diastolic measurement.