Cardiovascular Physiology 30 Flashcards
What is the mean blood pressure in the large systemic arteries?
90-95 mmHg
When is blood pressure maximal?
During systole
When is blood pressure minimal?
During diastole when the ventricle relaxes
Which does the heart spend more time in? Diastole or Systole?
The heart spends more time Diastole
What is Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)?
The average pressure in the arteries during one cardiac cycle that drives blood into the tissues averaged over the cardiac cycle
What is the usual MAP?
90 mmHg
What drives blood into the tissues of the body?
The MAP
What happens if the MAP is below 60mmHg?
The perfusion into the tissues will be inadequate ischemia will result
Why can’t we just take the average of the blood pressures in systole and diastole to determine MAP?
Because the heart does not spend equal time in systole and diastole
Which great vessel has the highest compliance?
The Aorta
Why does the Aorta have the greatest compliance?
Because the greater portion of elastin fibers versus smooth muscle and collagen
What is the main function of the elasticity of the Aorta?
It dampens the pulsatile output of the left ventricle reducing the pulse pressure
How is pulse pressure affected by distance from the heart?
As blood gets further from the heart, pulse pressure decreases
Why does pulse pressure decrease as you move farther from the heart?
Because of the cumulative effects of elastic rebound along the arterial system
Where do pressure waves due to the the left ventricle dissapear?
At the arterioles
