Blood pressure determinants. Part I: Structure — function links in blood pressure regulation. Reliability of blood pressure measurement

Abstract

The major structural, physical, and regulatory determinants of blood pressure are systematically reviewed. A dynamic nature of blood pressure is coupled with the idea that the regulation of blood pressure is primarily to meet metabolic needs of peripheral tissues. The paper is divided into three parts. In the first one, the basic methods of blood pressure measurement and the most common mistakes in its assessment are recalled. Links between morphological structure and function of essential impact on blood pressure regulation are discussed.