Final answer:
The highest pressure within the vascular system during cardiac contraction is known as systolic pressure, ranging from 100 to 200 mm Hg, with 100 to 120 mm Hg being the desirable range. This pressure is generated during ventricular systole, particularly in the ventricular ejection phase, when the blood is pumped into the aorta. The end systolic volume (ESV) is the blood left in the ventricle post-contraction, which is less than the volume ejected (stroke volume).
Step-by-step explanation:
Highest Pressure within the Vascular System
During cardiac contraction, specifically in the ventricular systole phase, the highest pressure within the vascular system is generated. This peak pressure is known as systolic pressure, which is the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls as the heart pumps it out. Typical systolic pressure lies within a range of 100 to 200 mm Hg, although a desirable range is considered to be from 100 to 120 mm Hg. When the left ventricle ejects blood into the aorta during the ventricular ejection phase, the pressure must be sufficiently high to overcome the high pressure already present within the aorta. It's important to maintain systolic pressure within a healthy range, as consistently high readings can lead to health risks such as hypertension.
The remaining volume of blood following ventricular contraction, termed end systolic volume (ESV), averages between 50-60 mL, coming from an initial end diastolic volume (EDV) of roughly 130 mL. This indicates that the stroke volume, the amount of blood ejected by the ventricle in one heartbeat, is typically between 70-80 mL.
The measurement of blood pressure is critical for assessing cardiovascular health and identifying conditions like hypertension, which can lead to serious health complications over time. The systolic pressure, being the highest within the vascular system, indicates the heart's workload and the force applied to artery walls during heartbeat.