Biology iGCSE, A level Cambridge/edexel curriculum Concise notes to understand how exercise has an affect on blood pressure. Includes brief mention about heart disease and treatment with stenting/CABG. Includes brief discussion about lifestyle factors. Available in PDF and PPT versions. Can i take this opportunity to thank everyone from whom iv

1. Control of blood pressure &
the benefit of exercise

2. Blood pressure is NEEDED to transport oxygen, nutrients,
waste and carbon dioxide rich blood around the whole body.
Pressure is maintained when the ventricles contract and force
blood at high pressure into the arteries.
Blood pressure is increased by:
1. Making the ventricles contract more powerfully
2. Narrowing the diameter of the arteries

3. Blood pressure is highest when the ventricles contract -
this is known as the systolic pressure
The blood pressure is lowest when the ventricles relax -
this is known as the diastolic pressure
Blood pressure is seen as a fraction and is measured in
mmHg. Typically a young person has a blood pressure around
120/80

4. Ventricles contract, pushing blood via the aorta at high
pressure. This is then sent to the brain and the rest of the
systemic circulation.
Arteries contract and pulsate. This is what we feel under
the skin when we measure the pulse/heart rate.
The pulse always has to be felt
with index or ring fingers -
never the thumb (pulse of its own)

6. Veins don't have a pulse….
So how is blood transported back to
Right side of the heart
Well THEY HAVE VALVES
THEY ALSO HAVE MUSCLES CONTRACTION
OCCURRING SYSTEMICALLY BY
THE PERIPHERAL HEART

7. how?
Exercise
Lose weight
Less stress - meditation
Healthy eating
Healthy lifestyle
Manage risk factors

8. Why is high blood pressure bad?
Blood pressure is known in the medical world as a “silent
killer”.
What does that mean?
Well exactly what is says - it kills silently.
It causes damage to vessels and organs - the results of
which are seen many years later
Diseases like diabetes, heart disease,stroke are a few very
serious examples.

9. Arteries are blocked because of injury to the vessel.
For example high blood pressure AT VULNERABLE SITES
Injury occurs - Cells, platelets and lipids deposit there,
and harden.
They keep narrowing the lumen of the vessel
-eventually blood flow is compromised.
Then we have a heart attack.
Heart Disease

12. Coronary artery bypass graft is when a blood vessel is
removed from one part of the body to connect between the
aorta and the coronary artery to bypass the blockage
CABG

14. STENTS
Stents can also be inserted
This is a tube INSERTED in damaged area.
The stent allows blood flow to be re-established.
If caught early enough, medications can be given to help
reduce the damage BUT NOT REVERSE or REPAIR - this doesn't
always work.

17. Why is exercise important?
Exercise helps us lose weight. Weight loss decreases blood
pressure.
Exercise releases hormones which make us feel good and
manage stress better. (Great for the heart & mind)
Long term exercise has been shown to help the heart too -
decreases in bp have shown improvements in LV structure and
function. Positive effects have also been seen in peripheral
arteries.

18. Exercise in high risk patients
Elderly
Those with severe health problems - cardiac history,
problems with breathing
Sudden and rigorous exercising is not good -why?

19. Prevention is better
than cure