Blood pressure Flashcards
What is blood pressure?
The force exerted by the blood against the blood vessel wall
What is systolic pressure?
The pressure in the arteries when the ventricles contract
What is diastolic pressure?
The pressure in the arteries when the ventricles relax
What is resting (average) blood pressure?
120/80
What happens to systolic pressure during aerobic exercise?
It increases
What happens to diastolic pressure during aerobic exercise?
It remains constant
What happens to systolic pressure during isometric work?
It increases
What happens to diastolic pressure during isometric work?
It increases
What happens to the pressure of the blood as it travels around the body?
High pressure and velocity = as it is pumped out of ventricles.
Low pressure and velocity = as it enters the veins
Therefore has to rely on venous return mechanisms
Name the 5 venous return mechanisms?
- Skeletal muscle pump
- Respiratory pump
- Valves
- Smooth muscle
- Suction pump
What does the skeletal muscle pump do?
As muscles contract, during exercise, they squeeze the veins and push the blood towards the heart
What does the respiratory pump do?
As breathing rate increases, the pressure in the chest cavity changes which compresses nearby veins and assists blood flow back to the heart.
What do the valves do?
Prevent back flow to ensure blood travels in one direction.
During rest!!
What does the smooth muscle do?
The thin layer of smooth muscle in the veins help squeeze the blood towards the heart.
During rest!!
What does the suction pump do?
When the heart beats forcefully, it sucks blood in when relaxing!
