Chapter 8 - Blood pressure, hypertension, and exercise

Abstract

The chapter starts by defining arterial blood pressure and how it is generated. The values of the blood pressure measurements can be used to calculate mean arterial blood pressure. Arterial systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse pressure are affected by changes in the cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. The chapter explains the causes of essential (primary) hypertension, and the mechanisms involved in the development of hypertension. The factors that regulate arterial blood pressure are described, and how the baroreceptor reflex helps to compensate for a fall in blood pressure. The aortic and carotid artery baroreceptor reflexes are mapped, and the significance of this baroreceptor in the regulation of blood pressure is explained. The chapter describes how sympathetic and parasympathetic activation affects blood pressure, and explains the chemoreceptor reflex in the regulation of blood pressure. The hormones that help regulate blood pressure are named, along with the mechanisms used to accomplish this. Finally, the mechanisms associated with exercise in lowering blood pressure are identified, and the recommended types of exercise for hypertensive patients are listed.