Diastole and systole refer to when the heart muscles relax and contract. The balance between diastolic and systolic pressure determines a person’s blood pressure. A blood pressure reading displays ...

Individuals with diastolic blood pressure under 70 mm Hg coupled with an elevated systolic blood pressure may have a greater risk of heart attack and stroke than indicated by the systolic blood ...

You can’t actually feel your blood pressure, but it’s one of the body’s most important indicators of cardiovascular health. Here’s the lowdown on how blood pressure works—and what it means for your ...