Homeostasis Case Study

Introduction

Homeostasis involves the body’s ability to maintain a relatively constant and stable environment, which can be achieved through a series of negative feedback mechanisms. (Cannon, 1926) Blood Pressure is one of those feedback mechanisms and is the pressure that is exerted on the walls of arteries and blood vessels throughout your body driven by the pressure created by the pumping of your heart, usually within the systemic system. The flow is directly proportional to the pressure gradient and this is known as fluid flow. (Silverthorn, 2016) The mean arterial pressure (MAP) is the average cardiac cycle and is determined by the cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance and central venous pressure. That pressure, also known

Weather in coffee form or fizzy carbonated drinks, caffeine remains a stimulant that can increase blood pressure and elevate contribute to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. (James, 2004) According to CDC, caffeine can make your systolic blood pressure 4 millimeters higher for systolic blood pressure, and 3 mm higher for diastolic. (CDC, 2016) Due to the majority of the population being college aged (18-35) and the nature of the class, four and a half hour long Physiology class, it is highly likely that caffeinated beverages were consumed. It is also highly likely that that fast foods or restaurant foods and salty snacks were consumed. Based on the median age, most people of this age group, monetary status and living situation most likely do not have access to good home cooked food and rely on fast food and restaurant food to survive. A case study by Pierre Menton at al states that there is very strong evidence of a causal link between high salt intake and high blood pressure. (Menton, 2005) The consumption of salt, which is necessary to preserve food and make it safe consume long term in fast food companies, raised the amount of sodium in your vessels and severely reduces your kidney’s ability to remove the water. Holding on to that water causes your kidneys to retain water and elevate your blood volume, which ultimately leads to higher blood pressure. According to the CDC, nine out of ten children eat more sodium than recommended, and one in six children have raised blood pressure. (CDC, 2016) Dehydration, another miscreant of elevated blood pressure go hand in hand with excessive salt intake and caffeine addiction. When you are dehydrated less water can be found in your blood, which means less plasma in the blood, which raises the viscosity of you blood making it harder for the heart to