Health and Disease Week 26 Flashcards
(130 cards)
What is the equation for mean arterial pressure?
cardiac output x peripheral resistance
What does Poiseuille’s law describe?
the factors that determine the flow through a tube in terms of pressure, flow and resistance
What is the equation for flow (Q)?
Q = delta P / R
flow = pressure gradient / resistance
What is the extended equation for flow?
Q = delta P x (pi x r^4) / 8 x L x n
resistance has its own equation which contributes to this equation
Which factors impact flow through a tube?
- pressure gradient
- radius of the tube
- length of the tube
- viscosity of the liquid
How does the length of a blood vessel impact flow (Q)?
- the longer the tube, the decreased flow
- however blood vessel length remains constant, so does NOT control blood flow
How does viscosity of the blood affect flow (Q)?
- the higher the viscosity, the lower the flow
- viscosity is related to the haematocrit which MAY change during dehydration
- the viscosity will remain constant under normal conditions, so we can ignore this
How does the radius of the blood vessel impact flow (Q)?
- the larger the radius, the faster the flow to the power of 4
- so if you double the radius, you increase the flow by x16
- resistance is caused by friction of liquid against vessel wall
- the radius of the blood vessels can be regulated by smooth muscle
define total peripheral resistance
the sum of the resistance of all the blood vessels the liquid must go through
What is the total peripheral resistance primarily regulated by?
the arterioles
How do the arterioles regulate total peripheral resistance?
- the largest blood pressure drop occurs from the arteries to arterioles
- the arterioles have much more resistance due to their small diameter, so create a pressure difference
What is the average blood pressure?
120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic
How can you measure blood pressure using Korotkoff sounds?
- pump the cuff up
- pressure in the cuff will get to above the arterial systolic blood pressure
- slowly release the pressure
- when the pressure in the cuff is slightly below arterial blood pressure, you hear Korotkoff sounds
- eventually, the sounds disappear when the pressure in the cuff is below your diastolic blood pressure
define pulse
the vibration of the arteries caused by the ejection of the blood from the heart (left ventricle) into the systemic circulation
Where is the pulse commonly measured at?
the radial artery (wrist) and the carotid artery (neck)
define pulse pressure
the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure (the fluctuations in blood pressure caused by the heart’s contractions)
define mean arterial pressure (MAP)
the AVERAGE pressure over the cycle
How do we work out the mean arterial pressure (MAP)?
since the diastole is about x2 as long as the systole, we work it out by taking the diastolic pressure and adding a 1/3 of the pulse pressure
diastolic pressure + 1/3 pulse pressure
What is the equation for pressure?
pressure (mmHg) = height x density x gravity
Why do you feel faint when standing?
- the mean arterial pressure at the heart will be lower than in the head due to an increase in height
- blood pressure drop to the head makes you feel faint
Why do giraffes have a higher blood pressure than humans?
they are taller so need a higher blood pressure to pump blood further to the head - however, the pressure DIFFERENCE is the same to determine flow
define hypertension
when the blood pressure in the body is high
How do most medications to treat hypertension work?
by dilating the arterioles to reduce the resistance and therefore blood pressure
What 4 main issues can hypertension cause?
- stroke
- heart attack
- heart failure
- chronic kidney failure