Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Heart rate (or pulse) is how fast your heart is beating. It is measured in beats per minute (bpm). An average resting pulse rate is between 60 and 80 bpm. Heart rate is set by the sino- atrial node (a bundle of nerve tissue near the right atrium). Heart rate is affected by the sympathetic nervous system (speeds it up) and the parasympathetic nervous system (slows it down). Heart rate increases with exercise so that your muscles get more food and oxygen. Heart rate (or pulse) is how fast your heart is beating. It is measured in beats per minute (bpm). An average resting pulse rate is between 60 and 80 bpm. Heart rate is set by the sino- atrial node (a bundle of nerve tissue near the right atrium). Heart rate is affected by the sympathetic nervous system (speeds it up) and the parasympathetic nervous system (slows it down). Heart rate increases with exercise so that your muscles get more food and oxygen.

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Blood Pressure is the pressure of the blood within the blood vessels. A normal blood pressure is said to be 120/80. The top number is the pressure during the contraction of the heart, the bottom number is the pressure between contractions. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. It can be very dangerous. Blood Pressure is the pressure of the blood within the blood vessels. A normal blood pressure is said to be 120/80. The top number is the pressure during the contraction of the heart, the bottom number is the pressure between contractions. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. It can be very dangerous.

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Factors affecting blood pressure include: Factors affecting blood pressure include: - the amount of blood in the body - heart rate - the size of the arteries - the elasticity of the arteries - the viscosity (thickness) of the blood