systolic

[si-stol-ik] /sɪˈstɒl ɪk/
adjective
1.
(of blood pressure) indicating the maximum arterial pressure occurring during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart.
Compare diastolic.
Origin
1685-95; systole + -ic
Related forms
hypersystolic, adjective
postsystolic, adjective
presystolic, adjective
Examples from the web for systolic
  • The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure.
  • The top is called the systolic pressure and the bottom the diastolic.
Word Origin and History for systolic
adj.

1690s, from Modern Latin systolicus, from systole (see systole).

systolic in Science
systole
  (sĭs'tə-lē)   
The period during the normal beating of the heart in which the chambers of the heart, especially the ventricles, contract to force blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery. Compare diastole.

systolic adjective (sĭ-stŏl'ĭk)