Systolisk

Systolisk is an adjective used in Swedish (and tied to the term systolic in English) to describe phenomena related to systole, the phase of the cardiac cycle in which the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out of the heart chambers.

Physiology: During systole the left ventricle generates pressure, the mitral valve closes, and the aortic valve opens, allowing blood to be ejected into the aorta and the pulmonary artery. The arterial pressure peaks during this phase, known as systolic blood pressure.

Clinical use: In routine blood pressure measurements, systolic pressure is the top number. Normal values for adults are commonly around or below 120 mmHg, while higher readings indicate hypertension. In older adults, isolated systolic hypertension is common due to arterial stiffening.

Systolic dysfunction: Reduced ability to eject blood during systole characterizes systolic heart failure. This is assessed by the left ventricular ejection fraction, often evaluated with echocardiography. Treatments may aim to improve systolic function and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Additional notes: The term contrasts with diastolic, which refers to relaxation and filling of the heart between beats. Ejection fraction and other systolic time intervals are used in cardiology to quantify systolic performance.

Origin: The term derives from Greek systole meaning contraction; systolisk in Swedish reflects this root.