KEY POINTS

1. Blood pressure represents a potential energy that propels blood through the circulation.

2. Vascular resistance is defined as perfusion pressure divided by flow.

3. The net resistance of the systemic circulation is called the total peripheral resistance.

4. Arterial pressure is determined by the cardiac output and the total peripheral resistance.

5. The blood flow to each organ is determined by the perfusion pressure and the vascular resistance.

6. The pulmonary circulation offers much less resistance to blood flow than does the systemic circulation.

7. Arterial pressures are measured in terms of systolic, diastolic, and mean levels.

8. Pulse pressure increases when the stroke volume increases, heart rate decreases, aortic compliance decreases, or total peripheral resistance increases.