What is the role of diastolic pressure in cardiovascular health?

Diastolic pressure plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health as it indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest, specifically during the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle. This is the period when the heart chambers are filling with blood after having contracted. Maintaining a healthy diastolic pressure is important because it reflects the resistance of blood vessels and helps ensure that there is adequate perfusion of organs and tissues with oxygenated blood.

When diastolic pressure is too low, it can signify poor blood volume or inadequate vascular resistance, which may lead to insufficient blood flow to the body’s organs. Conversely, very high diastolic pressure may indicate increased vascular resistance, which can contribute to cardiovascular disease over time. Thus, monitoring diastolic pressure provides vital information about an individual's cardiovascular health.