How does the heart know to beat faster when the body is working harder?

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How does the heart know to beat faster when the body is working harder?

In: Biology

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

There are blood pressure sensors throughout your body. When you begin to use excessive amounts of oxygen, the brain is the first to notice, as it requires more than any other organ in the body, and is extremely sensitive to this.

Once it realizes it needs more oxygen, it sends a message to the heart saying “hey, check blood pressure sensors & raise blood pressure if needed”. Then, by order of the hypothalamus (the brain), a cascade of hormones is sent to the pituitary & then the heart, where the heart will increase cardiac output & dilate or constrict arteries & arterioles where appropriate.

Anonymous 0 Comments

The cells send a request to the brain for more blood because they aren’t receiving blood fast enough to work overtime. The brain forwards the request to the heart. The heart goes into overtime.