Both pathological and physiological conditions affect blood pressure. The systolic pressure can change quickly and readily, and it can change over a greater range of values. Diastolic pressure does not fluctuate quickly or easily, and its variation occurs within a small range.
Physiological factors affecting blood pressure are:
- Age
- Sex
- Sleep
- Body built
- After meals
- After exercise
- Emotional conditions
Pathological factors affecting blood pressure are:
- Hypotension
- Hypertension
Low blood pressure is called hypotension. Hypotension is characterised by systolic pressure that is less than 90 mm Hg.
Whereas hypertension denotes persistently elevated blood pressure. It is defined as persistently increased systolic and diastolic pressures that are both above 90 mm Hg.
5 Factors Affecting Blood Pressure
Exercise
Systolic pressure rises 20 to 30 mm Hg above baseline after moderate exercise as a result of an increase in contraction volume and pace. Moderate exercise often has little effect on diastolic pressure. This is because moderate exercise has little effect on peripheral resistance, which determines diastolic pressure.
Systolic pressure increases by 40 to 50 mm Hg above baseline after intense muscular exertion. However, during intense muscular exertion, the peripheral resistance lowers, which causes the diastolic pressure to fall.
Emotional Conditions
The release of adrenaline causes the blood pressure to rise during excitement or anxiety.
Age and Sex
As people get older, their arterial blood pressure rises. Thus the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) increases with age.
Until menopause, arterial pressure in women is 5 mm Hg lower than the men belonging to the same age group. Females have increased pressure after menopause which is almost equivalent to that of men.
Sleep
Usually, the pressure is lowered up to 15 to 20 mm Hg during deep sleep. However, it marginally rises while having dream-related sleep.
Body Built
Obese people experience more pressure than thin people do.
Also, after meals, there is an increase in cardiac output that causes a rise in arterial blood pressure for a short while.
Keep exploring BYJU’S Biology to learn more such exciting topics.
Recommended Video:
Also see:
