The force of blood against vessel walls, recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure.
Normal is about 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension increases risk of stroke and heart disease. Controlled by cardiac output, resistance, blood volume, baroreceptors and hormones.
Baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aortic arch provide rapid feedback. Long-term control is renal. Hypertension is silent but damaging.
Common mistake: normal blood pressure is not a single number but a range.
The force of blood against vessel walls, recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure.
Blood Pressure is one of the 51 topics in Human Physiology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Frank-Starling Law, Cardiac Cycle, Exercise Physiology.
Salt reduction and exercise lower blood pressure.
Work through the Beginner topics in Human Physiology first, such as Homeostasis, Tissues and Organs, Skeletal System, then return to Blood Pressure. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Blood Pressure are Frank-Starling Law, Cardiac Cycle, Exercise Physiology, Renal Autoregulation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Blood Pressure. To practise the whole of Human Physiology, use the Human Physiology quiz.
Blood Pressure: The force of blood against vessel walls, recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure. Frank-Starling Law: Greater ventricular filling stretches the heart and increases the force of the next contraction. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
Normal blood pressure is not a single number but a range.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Frank-Starling Law and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Human Physiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Greater ventricular filling stretches the heart and increases the force of the next contraction.
❤️ Human PhysiologyThe sequence of atrial and ventricular contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) in each heartbeat.
❤️ Human PhysiologyRegular activity strengthens muscle, heart and bone and changes metabolism.
❤️ Human PhysiologyKidneys adjust arteriole resistance to keep glomerular filtration steady despite blood pressure changes.
❤️ Human Physiology