What does the term diastole refer to?

Diastole refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the heart muscle relaxes, allowing the ventricles to fill with blood from the atria. This relaxation is crucial for proper heart function, as it ensures that the chambers of the heart can expand and take in an adequate volume of blood before the next contraction (systole) occurs. During diastole, the pressure within the ventricles decreases, which is essential for drawing blood in from the atria through the open atrioventricular valves. The significance of this phase is underscored by its role in maintaining effective circulation and ensuring that the heart can pump blood efficiently when it contracts. Understanding diastole is fundamental to grasping overall cardiac physiology and the continuous cycle of blood flow through the heart and body.