What happens to blood pressure during systole?

During systole, the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts, blood is pumped out of the heart and into the arteries. This contraction leads to an increase in pressure within the arteries as the volume of blood rapidly changes. Specifically, the left ventricle contracts and sends blood into the aorta, creating what is known as systolic blood pressure. This pressure is the maximum level of blood pressure during the heartbeat. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the physiological response of arterial pressure increasing during this phase of the cardiac cycle as the heart actively propels blood forward into the circulatory system. This is vital for ensuring that oxygenated blood reaches tissues throughout the body efficiently.