Circulation and blood pressure
This model follows the circulation chapter's blood pressure equations: cardiac output supplies the beat, while total peripheral resistance determines how much pressure remains between beats. Compare resting and exercise conditions, then change one variable at a time.
Read the Circulation chapterLive model
Blood Pressure Equation Explorer
Follow one pressure wave between heartbeats. During diastole, pressure runs off through the resistance network. During systole, stroke volume adds a new pressure pulse.
The equation is normalized to a resting pressure wave near 120/80 mmHg. The model uses arterial resistance and compliance to determine runoff between beats.
Blood pressure
122/82
Pulse pressure
40 mmHg
Mean pressure
95 mmHg
Cardiac output
4.9 L/min
One cardiac cycle
Pressure rises with ejection, then runs off during diastole
Diastolic runoff
40 mmHg
Read the change
Adjust HR, stroke volume, or TPR to see whether runoff or the systolic pulse dominates.
During diastole
Pressure runs off through TPR
Higher resistance leaves more pressure in the arteries before the next beat. Lower resistance lets pressure fall faster.
During systole
SBP = DBP + pulse pressure
The next stroke volume creates the pressure jump. A larger stroke volume generally widens pulse pressure.
Teaching model, not a clinical calculator. Real arterial pressure depends on distributed vascular beds, wave reflections, contractility, and changing vessel properties that are simplified here.