Question

How does peripheral vascular resistance affect blood pressure?

Answer 1

Peripheral resistance in blood pressure:

1. Peripheral vascular resistance relates to a compartment's ability to expand in response to increased content. A metal pipe, for example, is rigid, whereas a balloon is flexible.
2. The more compliant an artery is, the better it can expand to accommodate an increase in blood flow while maintaining normal blood pressure and resistance.
3. Veins are more flexible than arteries and can expand to take more blood.
4. The arteries' resistance to blood flow is known as peripheral resistance. Resistance increases as the arteries tighten and reduce as they dilate.
5. Three elements determine peripheral resistance: autonomic activity: sympathetic activity narrows the arteries in the periphery, pharmaceuticals: vasoconstrictor medications boost resistance, whilst vasodilator medications lower it and blood viscosity: resistance rises as viscosity increases.
6. When artery stiffening occurs as a result of vascular disease, compliance decreases, and resistance to blood flow increases. This causes increased roughness, increased vascular pressure, and decreased blood flow. The work of the heart is increased as a result of this.