Question

What would decrease peripheral resistance to blood flow?

Answer 1

Blood flow reduces when its flow resistance is expanded. Total peripheral resistance is characterized as total blood flow resistance in the systemic circulation. Because of their smaller size and muscle walls the arterioles are effective regulators of blood flow.

Peripheral resistance is the artery's resistance to blood flow. As the arteries restrict the resistance increases and the resistance decreases when they dilate. Three factors influencing peripheral resistance are :

• Autonomous activity: a sympathetic activity which blocks peripheral arteries.
• Pharmacological agents: the vasoconstrictor drugs raise resistance while it is reduced by vasodilator drugs.
• Viscosity of the blood: Higher viscosity enhances resistance.