Control of Arterial Blood Pressure
Arterial blood pressure is controlled by several mechanisms which under
physiological conditions maintain the normal MAP within a narrow range,
including:
– Rapidly acting mechanisms (acts within seconds to minutes)
– Long-term mechanisms (3–10 days)
Short- term control of blood pressure
• Baroreceptor reflex
Pressure receptors located in the arch of aorta and carotid sinus.
Maintain blood flow during rapid pressure changes i.e: standing up
When MAP increases, the baroreceptors are stimulated, which will in
turn increase parasympathetic activity and decrease sympathetic
activity.
The vagal activity decreases MAP back to the normal range.
The opposite effect is seen when MAP decreases below normal
• Chemoreceptor reflex
Pressure receptors located in the arch of aorta and carotid bodies
They have high blood flow
Reduced blood flow causes receptors to sense: Decrease in O₂,
Increase in CO₂, and Increase in H⁺
Arterial blood pressure is controlled by several mechanisms which under
physiological conditions maintain the normal MAP within a narrow range,
including:
– Rapidly acting mechanisms (acts within seconds to minutes)
– Long-term mechanisms (3–10 days)
Short- term control of blood pressure
• Baroreceptor reflex
Pressure receptors located in the arch of aorta and carotid sinus.
Maintain blood flow during rapid pressure changes i.e: standing up
When MAP increases, the baroreceptors are stimulated, which will in
turn increase parasympathetic activity and decrease sympathetic
activity.
The vagal activity decreases MAP back to the normal range.
The opposite effect is seen when MAP decreases below normal
• Chemoreceptor reflex
Pressure receptors located in the arch of aorta and carotid bodies
They have high blood flow
Reduced blood flow causes receptors to sense: Decrease in O₂,
Increase in CO₂, and Increase in H⁺
