In: Anatomy and Physiology
List the 3 major factors that alter vascular resistance (diameter, length, viscosity) and then give a specific example how we can alter each of those specific factors during our lifetime. In your example be sure to mention what impact that change has on blood distribution and a person’s health.
Three major factors that alter vascular resistance are-
* Pharmacological agents - This includes drugs which a person might have to take during the lifetime. These medicines can be vasoconstricters, which means, they act to narrow the blood vessels. They can also be vasodilators, which means, they help to dilate or broaden the blood vessels for easy flow of blood.
* Blood viscosity - This refers to the thickness of the blood. Blood can become viscous if it has above average cholesterol or glucose dissolved in it. Viscous blood will face more resistance as it flows through the blood vessels.
* Transmural pressure difference, lung volume and hormonal balance - These are some lifestyle determinants which affect vascular resistance. These factors are also influenced by the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic part of ANS works to constrict blood vessels, increase heart rate and blood pressure while the parasympathetic part reverses these by dilating the blood vessel, slowing the heart rate and calming down the body.
The above factors can be handled and manipulated with a healthy lifestyle. Proper food and exercises help to balance the factors affecting blood flow. The diet of a person should depend on the age and the type of work that the person does. Simple physical activities like walking, jogging, cycling, etc help to boost the heart and the lungs. A carefully planned lifestyle is the main influence on a person's health, excluding the genetic factors, if any.
If there is resistance to blood flow, the heart has to work extra hard to pump blood to the body parts. As a result, the cells of the tissues will not get enough oxygen to stay healthy and perform at the optimum level. Antioxidants and other toxic products made in the body will tend to accumulate and all this will have an adverse effect on the body. Slowly the person's health will detoriate.