Systolique

Systolique is a medical term used in French to refer to matters relating to systole, the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the ventricles contract and eject blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery. The corresponding English adjective is systolic, and the noun form systole is used across languages to describe this cardiac phase.

During systole, the electrical activity of the heart triggers ventricular contraction. The onset is coordinated with the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram. The atrioventricular valves close, producing the first heart sound, while the semilunar valves open to allow blood to leave the heart.

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries during ventricular contraction and is the top value in a blood pressure reading. Normal systolic values are commonly around 90 to 120 millimeters of mercury in healthy adults; higher values indicate hypertension and are associated with cardiovascular risk. The diastolic value is the pressure during relaxation of the heart.

In clinical contexts, systolic terms appear in conditions such as isolated systolic hypertension and systolic heart failure, where the heart's ability to eject blood is impaired. Management often includes lifestyle changes and medications to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve ventricular function.

Etymology: from Greek systole meaning “a drawing together,” from syn “together” and stallein “to press.” The French term systolique reflects this origin in medical usage.