Mean arterial pressure (MAP)

Definition

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is the average pressure in a person's arteries during one cardiac cycle. It is considered a better indicator of perfusion to vital organs than systolic blood pressure alone.

Related terms

Systolic Blood Pressure: The maximum arterial pressure during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart.

Diastolic Blood Pressure: The minimum arterial pressure during relaxation and dilatation of the ventricles of the heart when the ventricles fill with blood.

Cardiac Cycle:

The sequence of events that occur from one heartbeat to the next, including systole (contraction phase) and diastole (relaxation phase)