A rise in arterial pressure typically causes which vascular response?

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Multiple Choice

A rise in arterial pressure typically causes which vascular response?

When arterial pressure rises, baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aortic arch are stretched more and fire more rapidly. This information travels to the brainstem, which shifts autonomic output toward less sympathetic activity and more parasympathetic activity. With less sympathetic outflow, vascular smooth muscle across many systemic arteries relaxes, producing widespread peripheral vasodilation and a drop in systemic vascular resistance. The heart’s rate and contractility also tend to fall a bit, helping reduce cardiac output and bring pressure back toward normal. While local factors can modulate blood flow in specific tissues, the overall vascular response to a rise in arterial pressure is widespread vasodilation.

When arterial pressure rises, baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aortic arch are stretched more and fire more rapidly. This information travels to the brainstem, which shifts autonomic output toward less sympathetic activity and more parasympathetic activity. With less sympathetic outflow, vascular smooth muscle across many systemic arteries relaxes, producing widespread peripheral vasodilation and a drop in systemic vascular resistance. The heart’s rate and contractility also tend to fall a bit, helping reduce cardiac output and bring pressure back toward normal. While local factors can modulate blood flow in specific tissues, the overall vascular response to a rise in arterial pressure is widespread vasodilation.

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