AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What does systolic pressure measure?

1. Pressure remaining in the arteries during relaxation of the heart

2. The pressure exerted against the arterial walls during heart contraction

3. The average pressure in the arteries over one cardiac cycle

4. The force exerted by blood flow at rest

The correct answer is: The pressure exerted against the arterial walls during heart contraction

Systolic pressure specifically measures the pressure exerted against the arterial walls when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. This peak pressure occurs during the cardiac cycle’s systole phase, which is significant because it reflects how much force the heart generates to circulate blood throughout the body. Understanding systolic pressure is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health, as elevated levels may indicate potential risks for hypertension and related conditions. The other choices refer to different aspects of blood pressure measurements. The pressure remaining in the arteries during heart relaxation pertains to diastolic pressure, which measures the minimum pressure when the heart is filling with blood. The average pressure in the arteries over one cardiac cycle aligns with mean arterial pressure, which takes both systolic and diastolic pressures into account. The force exerted by blood flow at rest sounds more like a general description of blood pressure but does not specify the contraction phase of the heart, which is essential for understanding systolic pressure.