systólískum

Systólískur is the Icelandic word for systolic. In medicine, it refers to the contraction phase of the heart cycle. Specifically, systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure achieved during the contraction of the left ventricle as it pumps blood into the aorta. This is the higher number in a blood pressure reading. When the heart muscle contracts, it squeezes blood out into the arteries, causing the pressure to rise. This pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A normal systolic blood pressure for an adult is generally considered to be less than 120 mmHg. Elevated systolic pressure can be an indicator of hypertension, or high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, very low systolic pressure, known as hypotension, can also cause health problems. The diastolic phase, measured as the lower number in a blood pressure reading, represents the relaxation of the heart muscle between beats.