What does diastolic blood pressure indicate?

Diastolic blood pressure indicates the average pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed between beats. This is crucial because it reflects the resistance of the arteries to blood flow and provides insight into the cardiovascular system's health.

During the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, the heart fills with blood, and the pressure in the arteries decreases as blood is not actively being pumped. This measurement is important because consistently high diastolic pressure can signal increased cardiovascular risk.

In contrast to the incorrect answer provided, the maximum pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat refers to systolic blood pressure, not diastolic. Additionally, while diastolic pressure reflects the relaxation of the heart, it does not pertain specifically to pulmonary circulation, which is a separate aspect of the cardiovascular system.