Blood Pressure vs. Venous Pressure: The Hidden Hack That Keeps You Alive

Pharmacy
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Blood Pressure vs. Venous Pressure: The Hidden Hack That Keeps You Alive

The heart beats about 100,000 times a day to circulate blood through a web of vessels that measure about 100,000 km long. However, have you thought about how blood travels away from the heart and, most importantly of all, how it comes back to the heart?

Some misconceptions are to be clarified.

Misconception: Blood pressure remains constant throughout the circulatory system.

Correction: It is higher in the arteries as the blood is pumped out by the heart under great pressure. When the blood is circulated through the veins, its pressure decreases.

Misconception: The heart itself forces blood to go back to the heart through the veins.

Correction: Veins work under very low pressure. In addition to the heart, veins make use of valves and contraction of the surrounding muscle tissue, especially in the leg region.

Misconception: Staying in the same position does not affect blood circulation.

Correction: Being either standing or seated for too long means that your blood will accumulate in leg veins owing to the force of gravity. Therefore, walking or just flexing your calves promotes better blood flow and prevents swelling.

One more interesting thing about walking is that with each step you make, you activate a small pump. Your calf muscles work as a compression band for veins, while one-way valves prevent the backflow of blood.

Good news is that several simple activities may contribute to your normal circulation – such as walking regularly, drinking enough water, not being overweight, and not staying seated for too long.

Your heart gives a start, but your muscles do the rest. What surprised you the most about how blood returns to the heart? Let us know in the comments.

Anatomical Human Heart Illustration

MBH/PS

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Well explained! It’s really important to know the functioning of an important organ like heart. Blood pressure is an important issue which keep changes and scientific knowledge about how it works will help to manage them. The flow back of impure blood from leg back to heart just through tiny valves that also against gravity is really fascinating.

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It’s amazing how something as simple as walking helps overcome gravity and supports venous return. It really shows how movement plays an important role in maintaining healthy circulation.

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Clear explanation of a distinction that often gets blurred. Very useful post.

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Learnt the role of valves and surrounding muscle tissues in returning blood back to the heart, informative article​:+1:

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Walking can be very helpful to keep calf muscle active, as it is known as second heart of the body that helps in better pumping back of the blood. Other activities like yoga and stretching can also be very helpful.

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I have always heard that sitting down fo too long results in blood accumulation. Didn’t know that it was a scientific process happening.