Blood Pressure, Central & Local Control

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to blood pressure, its regulation, and cardiovascular physiology as presented in the lecture notes.

Systemic Circulation

The flow of blood through the heart, arteries, and veins across the body. 

Arterial System

Conductance vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Elastic.

Capillary System

Exchange vessels where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occurs.

Venous System

Capacitance vessels that hold about 75% of the blood volume at rest. Serves as a blood reservoir and return blood to the heart

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

The resistance that occurs as blood flows through the arteries.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure in the arteries over the entire heartbeat cycle.

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR)

Resistance that occurs as blood moves through the lungs' blood vessels.

Control of Blood Pressure

Determined by cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of arterioles that increases systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure.

Vasodilation

Widening of arterioles that decreases systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.

Preload

Volume of blood returning to the heart at the end of filling.

Afterload

The resistance the heart must overcome to pump blood.

Contractility

The strength of the heart muscle contraction independent of preload.

Chronotropic Effect

Any change that affects heart rate.

Baroreceptors

Pressure sensors located in the aortic arch and carotid sinus.

Chemoreceptors

Sensors that detect low oxygen, high carbon dioxide, and low pH.

Frank-Starling Law

The relationship where increased stretch of the heart leads to stronger contractions.

Ejection Fraction (EF)

The percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each heartbeat.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight'.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes 'rest and digest' responses.

Cardiovascular Control Centers

Areas in the medulla that regulate blood pressure and heart rate.

Ventricular Wall Tension

The stretch inside the heart muscle as it squeezes to pump blood.

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure.

Septic Shock

A life-threatening condition causing low blood pressure due to infection.

Normal MAP Range

The range of mean arterial pressure in healthy adults, typically 80-100 mm Hg.

Local Control

The ability of blood vessels to adjust themselves based on local needs.

Central Control

Regulation of heart activity by the autonomic nervous system.

Higher MAP Target

A preferred mean arterial pressure of 75-85 mm Hg for patients with chronic arterial hypertension.

Myogenic Response

The tendency of smooth muscle to respond to changes in pressure.

Metabolic Response

Vascular adjustments made in response to changes in local oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels.

Negative Feedback Loop

A process that counteracts a deviation from normal physiological values to maintain homeostasis.

Tissue Perfusion

The flow of blood to tissues to meet tissue oxygenation needs.

Organ Failure

Failure of an organ system, potentially occurring with significantly low MAP.

Hypoxia

Causes local vasocontriction in the lungs to redirect blood to better-oxygenated areas (hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.)