What measurement is typically lower in a standard blood pressure reading?

In a standard blood pressure reading, the diastolic pressure is typically lower than the systolic pressure. Blood pressure is expressed in two numbers; the systolic pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood. This is the higher number in the reading. Conversely, the diastolic pressure indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, which reflects a lower pressure state.

Diastolic pressure is crucial for understanding cardiovascular health, as it measures the baseline pressure in the vascular system. In a standard reading, systolic values usually range higher due to the dynamic process of heart contraction, while diastolic values, being associated with relaxation and filling of the heart, are always lower. Hence, the correct measurement that is consistently lower in a standard blood pressure reading is the diastolic pressure.