blood pressure

What device is used to measure blood pressure?

Sphygmomanometer

What does the first sound heard when measuring BP represent?

Systolic blood pressure.

What does the last sound heard when measuring BP represent?

Diastolic blood pressure.

What pump is created by skeletal muscle contractions to aid venous return?

Skeletal muscle pump.

What pump is created by pressure changes during breathing?

Respiratory pump.

What sympathetic action helps push blood back toward the heart?

Sympathetic vasoconstriction of smooth muscle.

What are varicose veins?

Enlarged, twisted veins caused by blood pooling.

What structure in veins becomes stretched and fails in varicose veins?

Valves.

Why are varicose veins most common in the legs?

Gravity works against blood flow back to the heart.

What are the three key factors maintaining blood pressure?

Cardiac output, peripheral resistance, and blood volume.

What is cardiac output?

The amount of blood the heart pumps per minute.

What is peripheral resistance?

Friction blood experiences when flowing through vessels.

Where is the cardiovascular centre located?

Medulla oblongata.

What does the cardiovascular centre regulate?

Cardiac output and blood vessel diameter.

What receptors detect blood pressure changes?

Baroreceptors.

Where are baroreceptors located?

Carotid sinus and aortic arch.

What do chemoreceptors detect?

Carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

What happens when CO₂ levels rise?

Cardiac output increases and vasoconstriction occurs.

What hormones are involved in short-term BP control during fight-or-flight?

Epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Which hormone causes vasoconstriction and increases BP?

Norepinephrine.

What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?

A long-term hormonal system regulating blood pressure, fluids, and electrolytes.

What enzyme is released by kidneys when BP is low?

Renin.

What does angiotensin II do?

Causes vasoconstriction and increases salt retention.

What does aldosterone do?

Increases salt and water retention in the kidneys.

What does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) do?

Promotes water reabsorption and increases blood volume.

What is another name for ADH?

Vasopressin.

What does atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) do?

Lowers BP by increasing sodium and water excretion and causing vasodilation.

What triggers ANP release?

High blood pressure in the atria.

What is the direct renal mechanism?

Adjusting kidney filtration to change blood volume.

What is the indirect renal mechanism?

RAAS increasing BP through aldosterone, ADH, vasoconstriction, thirst, and salt cravings.