Final answer:
The pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries during a heartbeat is known as systolic pressure. It is the maximum pressure during a heartbeat, represented as the top number in a blood pressure reading.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pressure on the walls of the arteries during the heart's contraction is known as systolic pressure. This is the maximum pressure your heart exerts while beating, and it is the first or top number in a blood pressure reading. A typical systolic pressure for a healthy adult rests around 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
On the other hand, the pressure when your heart is at rest, in between beats, is called diastolic pressure. This is the second or lower number in a blood pressure reading.
Learn more about systolic pressure