Blood Volumes Essentials

• Blood Volume Essentials:

  • The average adult blood volume is normally around 5 litres
  • Under normal circumstances our blood volume is fairly constant
  • Continuous ongoing renal function maintains a stable and appropriate blood volume
  • An appropriate blood volume is the very foundation of blood pressure regulation
  • The mechanisms which alter cardiac output and total peripheral resistance in order to maintain a normal blood pressure are really the fine-tuning elements. They can only effectively fine-tune against a stable blood volume
• Blood Volumes:

  • the kidneys are the prime organ and prime mechanism for the long term regulation of blood volume
  • there is a second mechanism called the capillary shift mechanism