Anatomy of Blood Pressure Regulation: What You Need to Know

1. What is Blood Pressure?

Blood Pressure (BP) is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, especially arteries.
It is a key indicator of cardiovascular health.

2. Types of Blood Pressure

Type	Description	Normal Value
Systolic BP	Pressure during ventricular contraction	~120 mmHg
Diastolic BP	Pressure during ventricular relaxation	~80 mmHg

Normal BP: 120/80 mmHg

3. Units & Measurement

4. Sites for BP Measurement

5. Factors Affecting BP

Factor	Effect
Age	↑ with age
Gender	Slightly lower in females
Posture	Lying > Sitting > Standing
Exercise	Temporarily ↑ BP
Emotions/Stress	↑ due to sympathetic stimulation
Obesity	↑ BP due to increased vascular resistance

6. Short-Term Regulation

Controlled by nervous system:

Baroreceptors (in carotid sinus & aortic arch): Detect stretch/pressure
Medulla (vasomotor center): Regulates sympathetic & parasympathetic activity

7. Long-Term Regulation

Maintained by:

8. Pulse Pressure

Pulse Pressure=Systolic BP−Diastolic BP\text{Pulse Pressure} = \text{Systolic BP} - \text{Diastolic BP}

Normal: 40 mmHg
↑ in: Aortic regurgitation, exercise
↓ in: Shock, heart failure

9. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

MAP=Diastolic BP+13(Systolic BP−Diastolic BP)\text{MAP} = \text{Diastolic BP} + \frac{1}{3}(\text{Systolic BP} - \text{Diastolic BP})

Normal MAP ≈ 93 mmHg

10. Clinical Conditions

Condition	BP Range
Hypertension	>140/90 mmHg
Hypotension	<90/60 mmHg
Shock	Critically low BP → poor perfusion
White coat hypertension	High BP only in clinical settings

Mnemonic to Remember BP Control Hormones: "RAA-A"

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