What is diastolic blood pressure and what is the normal range?

Diastolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, allowing the heart to fill with blood. This is crucial to understanding cardiovascular health, as it reflects the minimum pressure to which the arteries are subjected during this resting state.

The normal range for diastolic blood pressure is typically considered to be between 60 to 80 mmHg. Therefore, when assessing blood pressure readings, the bottom number indicates this resting state, which is vital for monitoring heart health and diagnosing conditions such as hypertension.

In relation to the other options, the first option misidentifies diastolic pressure as the "top number" in a blood pressure reading, which actually refers to systolic blood pressure. The second option inaccurately describes diastolic pressure as the one that measures arterial pressure during heartbeats rather than during rest. The third option incorrectly states that diastolic pressure is the middle number that indicates heart rate, which it does not. Understanding these concepts helps in accurate blood pressure readings and overall cardiovascular assessment.