In blood pressure measurements, what does systolic pressure signify?

Systolic pressure represents the force exerted by circulating blood against the arterial walls when the heart contracts, specifically during the phase known as systole. This is the moment when the ventricles of the heart pump blood out into the arteries. A higher systolic reading indicates that the heart is exerting more pressure to push the blood through the vascular system, which is crucial information for assessing cardiovascular health. Understanding systolic pressure is important as it helps in evaluating conditions like hypertension, where the heart works harder than normal to circulate blood.