What it means
The resting and filling phase of the heart cycle. It begins at the second heart sound (S2), when the valves leading out of the heart close. The ventricleVEN-trih-kulOne of the two lower chambers of the heart, or one of the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain.Full entry s fill with blood, and the coronary arteries get most of their blood flow during this phase. The pressure in the arteries at this time is the diastolic blood pressure. A very fast heart rate shortens diastole, so the heart has less time to fill.
Remember it
Diastole dilates and fills; systole squeezes.
At a glance
| Spanish | diástole |
|---|---|
| Also written | diastoles |
Easy to confuse with
systole
The part of each heartbeat when the heart muscle squeezes and pumps blood out.
Related terms
blood pressure
The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, written as systolic over diastolic in mm Hg.
coronary artery
One of the blood vessels on the surface of the heart that bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
systole
The part of each heartbeat when the heart muscle squeezes and pumps blood out.