Why do vessels vasoconstriction

Vasoconstriction is narrowing or constriction of the blood vessels. It happens when smooth muscles in blood vessel walls tighten. This makes the blood vessel opening smaller.

Vasoconstriction may also be called vasospasm. On the other hand, abnormal vasoconstriction can trigger some health conditions. This includes high blood pressure and headache pain. In some cases, too much blood vessel narrowing may be a side effect of drugs and foods, such as caffeine and salt. Vasoconstriction reduces the volume or space inside affected blood vessels.

When blood vessel volume is lowered, blood flow is also reduced. At the same time, the resistance or force of blood flow is raised. This causes higher blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure hypertension can lead to health conditions over time, like vision loss, stroke, or a damaged heart.

The opposite of vasoconstriction is vasodilation. This is when blood vessels relax and widen, increasing blood flow and dropping blood pressure. Think of vasoconstriction as drinking through a thin straw. It takes more suction force to take a sip. In comparison, vasodilation is like gulping a drink easily and quickly through a wide straw. Abnormal vasoconstriction may cause or worsen high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Foods high in sodium can put stress on your blood vessels, causing them to constrict. Alcohol can also raise your blood pressure, notes the Mayo Clinic. Eat these 13 foods to lower your blood pressure.

Enlarged blood vessels in the head can set off migraine or headache pain. Medications to treat this type of pain often work by causing vasoconstriction. This helps the blood vessels constrict and stop excess blood flow. Some headache and migraine medications contain caffeine for this reason.

The type of vasodilator a person receives will depend on the condition they have that needs treatment. Vasodilation is an important mechanism. However, it can sometimes be problematic for people who experience hypotension or chronic inflammation. People with either of these conditions may require medications called vasoconstrictors. These drugs cause the blood vessels to narrow. For people with hypotension, vasoconstrictors help increase blood pressure. For people with chronic inflammatory conditions, vasoconstrictors reduce inflammation by restricting blood flow to certain cells and body tissues.

Vasodilation refers to the widening, or dilation, of the blood vessels. It is a natural process that increases blood flow and provides extra oxygen to the tissues that need it most. In some cases, doctors may deliberately induce vasodilation as a treatment for certain health conditions. In other cases, doctors may work to reduce vasodilation, as it can worsen conditions such as hypotension and chronic inflammatory diseases. Doctors sometimes use drugs called vasoconstrictors to help treat these conditions.

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What to know about vasodilation. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Function Causes Vasoconstriction Associated conditions What affects it? Share on Pinterest Vasodilation may occur when a person exercises. Golino P, et al. Kur J, Newman EA. J Physiol. Acta Physiol Scand. Burnstock G, Ralevic V. Pharmacol Rev. Burnstock G, Warland JJ.

Br J Pharmacol. Ferrell WR, Khoshbaten A. Responses of blood-vessels in the rabbit knee to electrical-stimulation of the joint capsule. Khoshbaten A, Ferrell WR. Nerve-mediated responses of blood-vessels in the rabbit knee-joint. J Vasc Res. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. PubMed Google Scholar. Cheung DW. Paterson G. J Pharm Pharmacol.

Furchgott RF. Hughes J, Vane JR. Relaxations of isolated portal vein of rabbit induced by nicotine and electrical stimulation. Torok J, Zemancikova A. Relaxation of rat main pulmonary artery to electrical stimulation: role of nitric oxide. Act Nerv Super Rediviva. Google Scholar. Guarini S. A highly reproducible model of arterial thrombosis in rats. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods. Hladovec J.

Thromb Diath Haemorrh. Oct ;26 2 — Bourgain RH, F S. A continuous registration method in experimental arterial thrombosis in the rat. Thromb Res. Vis Exp. Pennes HH. J Appl Physiol. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Torres AS, et al. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. Frelinger AL, et al. Electrical stimulation of excitable tissue: design of efficacious and safe protocols. J Neurosci Methods. Cogan SF. Neural stimulation and recording electrodes. Annu Rev Biomed Eng.

Tartas M, et al. Cathodal current-induced vasodilation to single application and the amplified response to repeated application in humans rely on aspirin-sensitive mechanisms. J Appl Physiol J Biomed Eng. Burnstock G. Yanagisawa M, et al. Lallemand MS, et al. Br J Surg. Costantini TW, et al. Tissue damage by pulsed electrical stimulation. Bronzino JD. The biomedical engineering handbook, 2nd ed.

Duck F. London: Academic Press; Duck FA. Physical properties of tissue : a comprehensive reference book. Giering, I. Lamprecht, and O. Fegler G. Christensen DA. The response may be intrinsic due to local processes in the surrounding tissue or extrinsic due to hormones or the nervous system. Additionally, the response may be localized to a specific organ depending on the metabolic needs of a particular tissue, as during strenuous exercise , or it may be systemic seen throughout the entire systemic circulation.

Substances that cause vasodilation are termed vasodilators. Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels. Search for:. Physiology of Circulation.

Introduction to Blood Flow, Pressure, and Resistance The circulatory system is the continuous system of tubes that pumps blood to tissues and organs throughout the body. Learning Objectives Differentiate between blood flow, blood pressure, and resistance. Key Takeaways Key Points The pulmonary circulatory system circulates deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs via the pulmonary artery and returns it to the heart via the pulmonary vein.

The systemic circulatory system circulates oxygenated blood from the heart around the body into the tissues before it is returned to the heart. The arteries divide into thin vessels called arterioles, which in turn divide into smaller capillaries that form a network between the cells of the body.

The capillaries then join up again to make veins that return the blood to the heart. Vascular resistance generated by the blood vessels must be overcome by blood pressure generated in the heart to allow blood to flow through the circulatory system. Key Terms vasodilation : The opening of a blood vessel.

Distribution of Blood Humans have a closed cardiovascular system, meaning that blood never leaves the network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Learning Objectives List the components of blood flow distribution.