Welcome to the blood and cardiovascular physiology assignment.
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Assignment Directions
Choose 2 of the 3 topics listed below and describe how the cardiovascular system works to control blood pressure.
Cardiac Output
Fluid volume regulation
Peripheral resistance
Make sure to describe in depth how each chosen mechanism works and provide examples of how the mechanism raises and lowers blood pressure. Be sure to explain how the nervous system and or hormones may play a role in the chosen mechanisms.
Must be at least 300 words in length (not including references)
Must be written entirely in your own words.
Must include proper in-text citations were appropriate.
Includes references according to APA guidelines
Refer to the rubric for additional details
The Blood and Cardiovascular Physiology
Blood pressure measures the optimal functioning of the cardiovascular system. The body requires a sufficiently high blood pressure to pump enough blood to al organs. The optimal blood pressure ensures that adequate blood and nutrients are supplied to the organs to achieve proper functionality. However, very low blood pressure can cause inadequate blood and nutrients to the organs, while very high blood pressure can damage blood vessels. Thus, the cardiovascular system should operate optimally to ensure control over the pressure at which blood flows. While numerous mechanisms control the pressure, the discussion focuses on Cardiac output and peripheral resistance due to their relative importance.
Factors that Affect Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the measure of the flow of blood and can be calculated using the formula:
Flow x Resistance
Mean arterial blood pressure = cardiac output x total peripheral resistance
The formula suggests that the two are essential factors that can affect blood pressure.
Cardiac Output
Cardiac output refers to the volume of the blood flowing through the ventricles from the heart. The measure of the volume of the blood is litres per minute (L/min). Cardiac output should remain at optimal levels for proper flow of blood. Any increase in the measure can elevate heart rate or stroke volume due to the high volume of blood pumped through the vessels. The process also causes blood pressure to increase (a high blood pressure condition) (Stanistreet et al., 2020). Some of the factors responsible for the increase in cardiac output, hence, high blood pressure, include thyroid hormones, sympathetic stimulation, and an increase in calcium ion levels. On the contrary, some factors can cause a low cardiac output by reducing heart rate or stroke volume. The situation causes low blood pressure by reducing arterial pressure and blood flow. Some of the factors that play a role in the situation are increased or decreased potassium ion levels, parasympathetic stimulation, low calcium levels, anoxia, and acidosis. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system can also affect cardiac output by stimulating the sinoatrial (SA) node and atrioventricular (AV) nodes (Magder, 2018). Cardiac output increases when the SA and AV nodes are activated and decreases when the parasympathetic nervous system activation acts on the two nodes.
Total peripheral resistance
Total peripheral resistance (TPR) suggests the area present for the flow of blood through the vessels. If the area is reduced, the pressure of the blood will increase. The components that support blood flow should be compliant enough to allow changes in content (the blood). Arteries with a high level of compliance are more effective in accommodating an increase in the flow of blood without causing high resistance or high pressure of the blood (Stanistreet et al., 2020). Compared to arteries, veins have a higher level of compliance and can accommodate more blood. Changes in the cardiovascular system, such as disease, can cause stiffening of arteries (such as atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), reducing compliance and resisting blood flow. The situation can cause higher pressure in the vessels and a low flow of blood. The sympathetic nervous system plays a key role in regulating peripheral resistance, hence, the flow of blood. Changes in total peripheral vascular resistance can also result from changes in plasma concentration of the endothelial hormones adrenomedullin and endothelin-1 (Magder, 2018). Thus, the hormonal levels should be optimum for the optimal flow of blood.
Conclusion
Optimal blood pressure is necessary for optimal functions of the organs in the body. Thus, the two factors should function optimally to ensure adequate flow to all organs. Any changes can increase or reduce blood pressure, causing diseases and illnesses.
References
Magder, S. (2018). The meaning of blood pressure. Critical Care, 22(1), 1-10.
Stanistreet, B., Nicholas, J. A., & Bisognano, J. D. (2020). An evidence-based review of elevated blood pressure for the inpatient. The American journal of medicine, 133(2), 165-169.
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