What does diastolic refer to in the context of heart function?

Diastolic refers specifically to the phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers of the heart fill with blood. During this process, the atria and ventricles are in their relaxed state, allowing blood to flow into these chambers from the veins. This phase is crucial for ensuring that the heart has enough blood volume to pump out during the subsequent contraction phase, known as systole.

The distinction between diastole and systole is fundamental in understanding heart function since these two phases work in a cycle to maintain effective circulation. Thus, recognizing diastolic function as the filling phase helps in assessing heart health and diagnosing potential cardiovascular conditions.