Systoles refer to the contraction of the heart muscles that force blood into the arteries. Many people may not be familiar with this medical term, and it may be useful to know its synonyms. Alternatives include heartbeat, cardiac contraction, heart rhythm, pulsation, and cardiac cycle. Each synonym describes the same physiological process, but they may have different connotations. For example, heartbeat and pulsation are more colloquial terms, while cardiac cycle or heart rhythm are technical terms used in medicine. Regardless of the term used, understanding the meaning of systoles is important for monitoring heart health and preventing heart disease.