Systolic blood pressure is the maximum arterial pressure reached when the heart's ventricles contract and eject blood into the aorta. This phase is known as ventricular systole, and it reflects the force the heart generates to overcome arterial resistance. It is an essential measure to assess cardiac function and vascular health. Accurate understanding of systolic pressure helps in managing conditions like hypertension and guiding surgical decisions involving cardiovascular stability.
Reference: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, John E. Hall, 14th Edition.