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Presenter: Angelina Korchevska

Faculty Sponsor: Reena Randhir

School: Springfield Technical Community College

Research Area: Biology

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Auditorium, A39

ABSTRACT

Baroreceptors are stretch sensors found in the carotid sinus and aortic arch of the heart. They are the body’s first responders for short-term blood pressure changes. They monitor the stretch in artery walls and send signals via the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves to the nucleus tract solitarius in the brain medulla. These specialized mechanoreceptors provide rapid neural feedback for cardiovascular regulation. The objective of this research is to study how baroreceptors affect heart rate and blood pressure through the body’s automatic feedback systems to maintain homeostasis. A systematic literature review done in the PubMed database indicated consistent changes in baroreceptor firing frequency in response to alterations in arterial pressure. When there is a decrease in blood pressure, baroreceptor firing decreases, which increases sympathetic outflow resulting in increased heart rate and vasoconstriction to elevate blood pressure. In contrast, increased arterial pressure enhances baroreceptor firing and promotes parasympathetic responses that lower heart rate and sympathetic vascular tone. This mechanism is critical to ensure that there is sufficient perfusion of tissues and to maintain stable blood pressure. This mechanism rapidly modulates blood pressure because the signals from these receptors are transmitted to the brainstem rapidly to modulate heart rate and blood vessel tone. Decreased receptor sensitivity results in an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is often seen in aging, diabetes, and heart disease. Knowledge of baroreceptor function is essential in managing patients with hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, and heart failure.