What does diastolic blood pressure measure?

Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries during ventricular relaxation, which is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart's ventricles are filling with blood. This occurs after the heart has pumped out blood to the body and signifies the lowest pressure exerted on the artery walls before the next contraction. Understanding diastolic pressure is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health, as it provides insights into how well the arteries are able to maintain blood pressure during the hearts’ relaxed state. Keeping blood pressure levels within a normal range is vital for reducing the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.