Resistance to flow is heavily dictated by the physical dimensions of the blood vessels. According to Poiseuille's Law, resistance ( ) is calculated as:
Today we are highlighting one of our favorite academic lifesavers: Cardiovascular Physiology
Combine your reading with your pharmacology studies. When Pappano explains the L-type calcium channel's role in the cardiac plateau phase, cross-reference it with how Calcium Channel Blockers (like diltiazem or verapamil) alter that exact mechanism. A Note on Digital Access and PDF Usage
The text emphasizes the "coupling" of the heart and blood vessels to adapt to physiological demands:
Sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on heart rate and vessel diameter.
to maintain constant flow despite fluctuations in systemic blood pressure. For further study, you can explore the Cardiovascular Physiology 11th Edition page for a full table of contents and sample chapters. neural control of blood pressure Cardiovascular Physiology - 10th Edition | Elsevier Shop
For the entire systemic circulation, this equation translates to:
This section details how the heart operates as a mechanical pump, including:
is the vessel radius. Because radius is raised to the fourth power, tiny alterations in the diameter of arterioles (vasoconstriction or vasodilation) cause massive shifts in regional blood flow and blood pressure. 5. Regulation of Cardiac Output and Blood Pressure