Systole

The time period when the heart is contracting.

The period specifically during which the left ventricle of the heart contracts.

The final letter in 'systole' is pronounced as a long 'e' as in 'lee.' The adjective for systole is systolic.

The systolic pressure is specifically the maximum arterial pressure during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart.

In a blood pressure reading, the systolic pressure is typically the first number recorded.

For example, with a blood pressure of 120/80 ('120 over 80'), the systolic pressure is 120. By '120' is meant 120 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).

A systolic murmur is a heart murmur heard during systole, the time the heart contracts, between the normal first and second heart sounds.

'Systole' came without change from the Greek <I>systole</I> meaning 'a drawing together or a contraction.' The term has been in use since the 16th century to denote the contraction of the heart muscle.