What does diastolic blood pressure measure?

Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, specifically during the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle. This is when the heart muscle relaxes after contraction and allows the chambers to fill with blood. Measuring this pressure provides important information about the minimum pressure exerted on the arteries, which helps assess the health of the circulatory system and can indicate how well the heart is functioning during its resting phase. Understanding this aspect is crucial for monitoring cardiovascular health and diagnosing potential issues related to blood pressure regulation.