Final answer:
The contraction phase of the heart chambers, during which blood is pumped throughout the body, is called systole. This is distinct from diastole, the relaxation phase when the heart fills with blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period of contraction of the heart chambers is termed systole. During systole, the heart muscle contracts, pushing blood out and pumping it throughout the body. The cardiac cycle includes phases of contraction and relaxation. Following systole, the heart enters diastole, a phase where the heart relaxes, and the chambers fill with blood. This process includes both atrial and ventricular systole and diastole and is crucial for efficient blood circulation. Notably, while systole refers to the contraction phase, including atrial systole and ventricular systole, diastole refers to the relaxation and filling phase. Hypertension is a condition associated with high blood pressure, whereas dyspnea is difficulty breathing, both of which are unrelated to the mechanical phases of the cardiac cycle.