What is the term for the pressure of blood felt against the arterial wall when the heart beats?

The term that accurately describes the pressure of blood felt against the arterial wall when the heart beats is referred to as "pulse." The pulse is the physical sensation of the expansion and contraction of arteries as the heart pumps blood through them. Each heartbeat creates a wave of pressure that can be detected as a rhythmic increase and decrease in the arterial wall.

The pulse rate can give important information about heart function and overall health, including factors like rhythm and strength. In contrast, blood pressure measures the force of blood within the entire vascular system and is expressed as two values: systolic and diastolic pressures. Heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute, and oxygen saturation indicates the percentage of hemoglobin binding sites in the bloodstream occupied by oxygen. Each of these terms represents different aspects of cardiovascular health, but the sensation felt in the arteries during a heartbeat is specifically identified as the pulse.