extra regulating BP lect2

• • normal blood pressure = 120/80 mmHg - homeostasis keeps it within this range
  • normally theres little amounts of fluctuation e.g. low when sleeping, moderate at rest, high during exercise
  • because compensatory mechanisms regulate cardiac output, total peripheral resistance and blood volume to maintain blood pressure stability
• It is important to maintain a normal blood pressure and therefore:

  • adequate organ perfusion - low BP means organ tissues can become ischaemic or even necrotic, high BP means fragile structures such as the endothelium can become damaged
  • normal organ function - link to above
  • health - link to above
• Factors affecting arteriole calibre (VC/VD)

  • those acting via the vasomotor centre on arteriole smooth muscle wall (lecture 2)
  • those not involving the vasomotor centre but still affecting arteriole smooth muscle wall e.g. some hormones (lecture 3)