CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Andrews Campus, Tuguegarao City

GRADUATE SCHOOL

SUBJECT: ADVANCE PHYSIOLOGY

NAME: ARVIN G. CONCHA
PROF.: MS.CELIAFLOR R. FERRER, Ph. D.

INTERACTION OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR AND EXCRETORY SYSTEMS IN THE REGULATION

OF BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the inner walls of the
blood vessels. It is determined by CO, blood volume and resistance to blood flow. When
CO increases, the increased blood flow causes a rise in blood pressure. When CO
decreases, the decreased blood flow causes a fall in the blood pressure. If the volume of
blood is reduced by haemorrhage or by chronic bleeding. The blood pressure drops. In
contrast, an increase in the blood volume results in an increase in blood pressure. For
example, a high dietary intake of salt causes water retention. This increases blood volume
and raises blood pressure.

Each time you get up from a horizontal position, your blood pressure changes.
Several mechanisms interact to maintain normal blood pressure so that you do not faint
when you get out of bed each morning or change in position during the day. When
blood pressure decreases, sympathetic nerves to the blood vessels stimulate
vasoconstriction, causing the pressure to rise again.

Baroreceprors, specialized receptors in the walls of certain arteries and in the heart
wall, are sensitive to changes in blood pressure. When an increase in blood pressure
stretches the baroreceptors, messages are sent to the cardiac and vasomotor center in
the medulla of the brain. The cardiac center stimulates parasympathetic nerves that slow
the heart, lowering blood pressure. The vasomotor center inhibits the sympathetic nerves
that constrict arterioles; this action causes vasodilation, which also lowers blood pressure.
These neural reflexes continuously work in a complimentary way to maintain blood
pressure within normal limits.

Several hormones are also involved in regulating blood pressure. In response to

low blood pressure, the kidneys release renin which activates the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone pathway. Renin acts on a plasma protein, triggering a cascade of reactions
that produces the hormone angiotensin II, a powerful vasoconstrictor. Vasoconstriction
increases blood pressure, restoring homeostasis. Angiotensin II also acts indirectly to
maintain blood pressure by increasing the synthesis and release of th hormone
aldosterone by the adrenal glands. Aldosterone increases retention on Na by the
kidneys, resulting in greater fluid retention and increased blood volume. When the body
becomes dehydrated, the osmotic concentration of the blood increases. In response,
the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH
increases reabsorption of water in the kidneys (and only in small volume of concentrated
urine is produced.)Blood volume increases, raising blood pressure and restoring
homeostasis. When blood volume increases, the atria of the heart release a hormone
increases sodium excretion. As a result, a large volume of dilute urine is produced and
blood pressure decreases. Nitric oxide also helps regulate blood pressure by causing
vasodilation, thus decreasing blood pressure.