Question

"Normal blood pressure is 120/80. What is the top number called and what is happening in the heart?"

Answer 1

A. systolic pressure, ejection of blood from the heart B. diastolic pressure, ejection of blood from the heart C. systolic pressure, ventricles are relaxing D. diastolic pressure, ventricles are relaxing E. diastolic pressure, atria are contracting, ventricles are relaxing

Answer:

A. systolic pressure, ejection of blood from the heart

Explanation:

Systolic pressure represents the highest pressure of the blood in the arteries. It is attained during the phase of ventricular systole. During this phase, the ventricles contract (systole) resulting in a build-up of the blood pressure. This makes the tricuspid and mitral valves close. As the blood pressure in the ventricles exceeds that in the arteries, semilunar valves are opened and blood flows into the aorta and pulmonary artery. The flow of the blood increases the pressure in the arteries.