ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

In which part of the cardiac cycle is Diastolic Blood Pressure measured?

1. During ventricular contraction

2. During the relaxation phase of the heart

3. During atrial contraction

4. During rapid heartbeat

The correct answer is: During the relaxation phase of the heart

Diastolic Blood Pressure is measured during the relaxation phase of the heart, which is known as diastole. During this phase, the heart chambers, particularly the ventricles, fill with blood as the muscular walls relax. The pressure in the arteries when the heart is in this state reflects the resistance the blood encounters when flowing through the vascular system. This measurement is critical as it provides insight into the heart's resting condition and overall vascular health. The other phases mentioned pertain to different actions of the heart: during ventricular contraction (systole), the heart is actively pumping blood, leading to a higher systolic pressure; during atrial contraction, the atria are pushing blood into the ventricles just before they contract; and a rapid heartbeat typically correlates with increased heart rate, affecting blood pressure readings but not specifically defining the measurement of diastolic blood pressure.