Answer :
Increased peripheral resistance leads to increased blood pressure due to the constriction of blood vessels increasing resistance, which forces the heart to pump harder. This effect is regulated by various homeostatic mechanisms within the body, including the action of baroreceptors.
The relationship between peripheral resistance and blood pressure is an important concept in cardiovascular physiology. The correct statement that accurately reflects this relationship is: 'Increased peripheral resistance leads to increased blood pressure.' This happens because when peripheral vessels constrict (vasoconstriction), they increase the resistance against the flow of blood. Consequently, the heart has to pump harder to overcome this resistance, which raises blood pressure. Conversely, when peripheral vessels dilate (vasodilation), it leads to decreased resistance and typically to a decrease in blood pressure.
High blood pressure can be a result of high cardiac output and high peripheral resistance. As the systemic vascular resistance increases, so does the work that the heart must perform to eject blood into circulation, thereby elevating blood pressure levels. The arterial system plays a key role in this mechanism, where vasoconstriction increases resistance and raises blood pressure, contrary to vasodilation, which reduces resistance and lowers blood pressure. The body uses various homeostatic mechanisms to regulate these effects and maintain an optimal blood pressure, including the action of baroreceptors and their reflexive control over the cardiovascular system.
