7th February 2024

Regulation of blood pressure

Short-term control

Baroreceptors continuously monitor blood pressure. Baroreceptors are stretch receptors in blood vessel walls that respond to increased blood pressure. There are two baroreceptors in our body – high-pressure baroreceptors and low-pressure baroreceptors.

High-pressure baroreceptors are located within the carotid sinus and aortic arch. Low-pressure baroreceptors are located in the right atrium. High- and low-pressure baroreceptors send signals integrated into the medulla’s cardiovascular centre. The cardiovascular centre then sends appropriate responses via the autonomic nervous system – sympathetic or parasympathetic system. Stimulation of the sympathetic system will cause increased heart rate and peripheral vasoconstriction, leading to increased blood pressure. Stimulation of the parasympathetic system will cause a decrease in heart rate to reduce blood pressure.

Long-term control

Long-term control of blood pressure is primarily related to the regulation of blood volume. Blood volume is regulated by sodium and water reabsorption control, which is influenced by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, antidiuretic hormone, and natriuretic peptides.

References

Shahoud, J. S., Sanvictores, T., & Aeddula, N. R. (2023). Physiology, Arterial Pressure Regulation. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538509/