Which statement describes how arterial blood pressure can be changed?

Which statement describes how arterial blood pressure can be changed?

• A. It can only change with heart rate
• B. It can only change with stroke volume
• C. It can be altered by any change in heart rate, stroke volume, or peripheral resistance
• D. It cannot be altered by exercise

Answer: (C)

Arterial blood pressure is determined by two main factors: the amount the heart pumps (cardiac output) and the resistance the blood encounters in the vessels (peripheral or systemic vascular resistance). Cardiac output depends on heart rate and stroke volume. Peripheral resistance changes mainly with the diameter of the arterioles and the overall vascular tone, which are controlled by autonomic signals, hormones, and local factors. Because blood pressure can rise or fall whenever any of these components change, it can be altered by changes in heart rate, changes in stroke volume, or changes in peripheral resistance. Exercise is a good example: heart rate and stroke volume typically increase, boosting cardiac output, while local vasodilation in active muscles can lower resistance in those areas; the net effect is a change in arterial pressure, usually an increase. So the best description is that arterial blood pressure can be altered by any change in heart rate, stroke volume, or peripheral resistance.

Arterial blood pressure is determined by two main factors: the amount the heart pumps (cardiac output) and the resistance the blood encounters in the vessels (peripheral or systemic vascular resistance). Cardiac output depends on heart rate and stroke volume. Peripheral resistance changes mainly with the diameter of the arterioles and the overall vascular tone, which are controlled by autonomic signals, hormones, and local factors.

Because blood pressure can rise or fall whenever any of these components change, it can be altered by changes in heart rate, changes in stroke volume, or changes in peripheral resistance. Exercise is a good example: heart rate and stroke volume typically increase, boosting cardiac output, while local vasodilation in active muscles can lower resistance in those areas; the net effect is a change in arterial pressure, usually an increase.

So the best description is that arterial blood pressure can be altered by any change in heart rate, stroke volume, or peripheral resistance.