Why arterial pulse decreases when moved away from heart?

Posted on November 19, 2009 by admin

When moved away from the heart along the arterial system, the strength of the pulse decreases. Why?

The pressure is greatest right by the heart in the Aorta. As the blood travels there are forces such as dilation or friction that reduce the force of the initial pump thereby reducing the strength of the pulse. Once the arteries branch to arterioles and then to capillaries the force becomes far to diffuse to measure.

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2 Responses to Why arterial pulse decreases when moved away from heart?

  1. jonnynomates1 says:
    November 19, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    I am not sure, but here is a guess :The further along the arteries, the branches there are off into capillaries, so the strength of the pulse is spread amongst these capillaries and arteries.
    References :

  2. Rob L says:
    November 19, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    The pressure is greatest right by the heart in the Aorta. As the blood travels there are forces such as dilation or friction that reduce the force of the initial pump thereby reducing the strength of the pulse. Once the arteries branch to arterioles and then to capillaries the force becomes far to diffuse to measure.
    References :