Increased blood flow resistance

Introduction The resistance encountered when blood flows through a blood vessel is called blood flow resistance. In the case of turbulence, each particle in the blood constantly changes the direction of flow, so more energy is consumed than laminar flow, and blood flow resistance is greater. Since blood is consumed by friction when it flows, it is generally expressed as heat. This part of the heat energy can no longer be converted into the potential energy or kinetic energy of the blood, so the pressure gradually decreases as the blood flows through the blood vessels. In the case of turbulence, each particle in the blood constantly changes the direction of flow, so more energy is consumed than laminar flow, and blood flow resistance is greater.

Cause

Causes of increased blood flow resistance

The inner diameter of the blood vessel becomes smaller and the viscosity of the blood increases.

an examination

Related inspection

Blood test blood routine

Blood rheology check. The blood flow resistance is proportional to the length of the blood vessel and the viscosity of the blood, and inversely proportional to the fourth power of the blood vessel radius. Since the length of the blood vessel changes little, the blood flow resistance is mainly determined by the blood vessel diameter and blood viscosity. For an organ, if the blood viscosity is constant, the blood flow of the organ depends mainly on the diameter of the resistance vessel of the organ.

Differential diagnosis

Symptoms of increased blood flow resistance

It is necessary to identify the increase in resistance caused by various factors and to identify whether it is pathological. Blood rheology tests can be diagnosed.

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