Physiological Factors That Affect Blood Pressure

Question 1

Volume of Blood

Answer 1

Increase of blood volume increases the BP. Decrease of blood volume decreases BP.
Example: Hemorrhage (excessive bleeding) causes volume and BP to drop.

Question 2

Peripheral Resistance

Answer 2

Relates to the size of the lumen (the cavity or space) within blood vessels and amount of blood flowing through it.

Question 3

Condition of Heart Muscle

Answer 3

Strength of the heart muscle affects volume of blood flow. The pumping action of the heart and how efficiently it circulates blood affect the BP.

Question 4

Elasticity of Vessels

Answer 4

The ability of blood vessels to expand and contract decreases with age.
Example: Nonelastic blood vessels, as in arteriosclerosis, cause an elevated BP.