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Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow

Blood pressure
Needs to be high enough to maintain tissue perfusion If too high, damages vessels Dependent on cardiac output, resistance, blood volume Variables regulated through nervous and endocrine system

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure
Short-term regulation of blood pressure
Occurs through autonomic reflexes involve nuclei within medulla oblongata adjust blood pressure quickly e.g., arising from sitting to standing position alter cardiac output, resistance, or both

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure
Baroreceptors (continued)
Carotid sinuses baroreceptors located in tunica external of internal carotid arteries transmit nerve signals back to the cardiovascular center transmit via glossopharyngeal nerve monitor blood pressure in head, neck, brain more sensitive to blood pressure changes than aortic arch receptors

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure
Chemoreceptor reflexes
Chemoreceptors secondarily involved in regulating blood pressure more important in regulating respiration initiate chemoreceptor reflexes negative feedback loops bring blood chemistry levels back Two main chemoreceptors aortic bodies and carotid body both sending input to cardiovascular center

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure
Higher brain centers
Hypothalamus can increase cardiac output and resistance can be caused by increased body temperature fight-or-flight response Limbic system alters blood pressure in response to emotions

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hormones involved in blood pressure
Epinephrine and norepinephrine Angiotensin II, antidiuretic hormone Aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide Regulate blood pressure by altering resistance or blood volume blood volume regulated by altering fluid intake or urine output

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(a) Cardiac Output (CO)

Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped per minute. CO is a function of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV): CO = HR SV.

Factors That Regulate Blood Pressure: Peripheral Resistance (Figure 20.15b)

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Factors That Regulate Blood Pressure: Cardiac Output (Figure 20.15a)

Heart rate (HR) Cardiac output increases. Cardiac output decreases.

(b) Peripheral Resistance

Peripheral resistance is the opposition to flow of blood in vessels, and is a function of vessel radius, vessel length, and blood viscosity. Vessel radius Vessel length Longer vessels increase peripheral resistance, which raises blood pressure. Blood viscosity Increased viscosity creates an opposition to blood flow, increasing peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

120 bpm

65 bpm

Increased heart rate increases cardiac output and blood pressure.

Decreased heart rate decreases cardiac output and blood pressure.

Vasoconstriction narrows vessel and forces blood through a narrower lumen, increasing peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

Stroke volume (SV) Cardiac output increases. Cardiac output decreases.

Vasodilation widens vessel, decreasing peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

Force of contraction Increased stroke volume increases cardiac output and blood pressure. Force of contraction Decreased stroke volume decreases cardiac output and blood pressure.

Shorter vessels decrease peripheral resistance, which lowers blood pressure.

Decreased viscosity allows blood to flow more freely through vessels, decreasing peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

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(c) Blood Volume

Blood volume is a function of fluid intake and fluid output. Fluid intake increases blood volume and blood pressure. Fluid output decreases blood volume and blood pressure Fluid intake (~2500mL/day) Fluid output (~2500mL /day)

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Clinical View: Hypertension and Hypotension
Hypertension chronically elevated blood pressure systolic pressure > 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic > 90 mm Hg may damage blood vessel walls, making atherosclerosis more likely may thicken arteriole walls, arteriolosclerosis major cause of heart failure

Factors That Regulate Blood Pressure: Blood Volume (Figure 20.15c)

Food and drink

Moisture in expired air

Metabolic water Sweat and transpiration Urine

Feces

Regulation of Blood Pressure and Blood Flow: Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure
Clinical View: Hypertension and Hypotension (continued)
Hypotension chronically low blood pressure symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, fainting systolic pressure < 90 mm Hg and/or diastolic < 60 mm Hg Orthostatic hypotension drop in blood pressure after sudden standing dizziness, light-headedness, fainting blood pressure regulation not occurring quickly enough

Velocity of Blood Flow

Blood flow velocity
Rate of blood transported per unit time Dependent on total cross-sectional area of each vessel type arteries with relatively small total capillaries with largest (thousands of miles of vessels) velocity inversely related to total cross-sectional area greater area, slower flow rate allows sufficient time for gas exchange in capillaries

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Relationship of Total Cross-Sectional Area and Velocity of Blood Flow (Figure 20.16)
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Velocity of Blood Flow

35 Velocity of blood flow (cm/second)

Total cross-sectional area (cm 2)

5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 Cross-sectional area Blood velocity

28 21 14 7

In which type of vessels is blood flow the slowest? Explain the anatomic structure that accounts for this and the physiologic significance.
Blood flow is slowest in the capillaries, because they have the largest total cross-sectional area. This ensures adequate time for exchange of nutrients and gases in the capillaries.

Pulmonary Circulation: Characteristics of the Pulmonary Circulation

Compared to systemic arteries/ circulation
Less elastic connective tissue Wider lumens Relatively short, since lungs close to heart Blood pressure lower