What does the top number in a blood pressure reading represent?

The top number in a blood pressure reading represents systolic pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood. This value is crucial as it indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls during each heartbeat.

Monitoring systolic pressure is important because elevated levels can indicate hypertension, which may lead to cardiovascular issues. Understanding this aspect of blood pressure helps caregivers assess a patient's cardiovascular health and respond appropriately. The other terms such as diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, and resting pressure refer to different measurements or concepts that are not represented by the top number in a standard blood pressure reading.