Why humans do NOT faint every time they stand up: Scientists move closer to solving mystery that has baffled experts for nearly a century
- Neurons compensate for the sudden drop in blood pressure every time we stand
- Now, scientists have found two proteins the kick the response into action
- Could lead to better prevention of high blood pressure and general health
10
View
comments
It’s a mystery that has puzzled scientists for nearly a century.
But now researchers claim they have moved one step closer to working out why you don’t faint every time you stand up.
Humans should, in theory, pass out every time they stand because of a sudden drop in blood pressure – but the body compensates using neurons called baroreceptors.
Now, scientists from the Scripps Research Institute have uncovered more evidence of how this response operates.
Scientists have figured out how the body responds to the sudden drop in blood pressure that happens every time we stand up (stock)
And the team say their findings could lead to prevention of heart attacks, strokes, or even heart failure.
They found two proteins, called PIEZO1 and PIEZO2, are able to sense blood pressure and kick the baroreceptor response, or ‘baroreflex’, into action.
Once that mechanism begins, the body is instructed to increase heart rate, pushing more blood to the brain to compensate.
This ensures people don’t collapse just because they fancied standing up from the sofa and grabbing something to eat.
-
Blood pressure pills taken by MILLIONS worldwide ‘raise your… 
Are those pills you have been taking for years the wrong… 
Health Secretary will unveil plans for personalised warnings… 
Lego for adults? DR MICHAEL MOSLEY says it really COULD help…
Share this article
If blood pressure dips too low, you can easily feel faint, ScienceAlert reports. This is what the baroreflex combats.
Too high, and it could lead to a heart attack, a stroke or even heart failure.
The two proteins were first discovered several years ago by microbiologist Professor Ardem Patapoutian, of the Scripps Research Institute.
‘Our motivation for this study was rooted in basic science,’ he said.
‘Yet these findings could have major translational implications by improving our understanding of human health.’
The research on mice, published in Science, found those denied PIEZO proteins showed greater variability in their blood pressure.
When the mice were biologically given PIEZO proteins, however, blood pressure and heart rate were increased.
The results suggested the proteins play a large role in allowing the baroreflex to work, ScienceAlert reports.
However, Professor Patapoutian and colleagues said further trials are needed to determine if this also works in humans.
Hypertension deemed unresponsive to drug treatment could be targeted through the PIEZO proteins, the researchers hope.
More than one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure and nearly half of American adults, according to estimates.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
More than one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many won’t realise it.
The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked.
Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body.
The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. They’re both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
As a general guide:
- high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher
- ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
- low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower
- A blood pressure reading between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you don’t take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes.
Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as:
- heart disease
- heart attacks
- strokes
- heart failure
- peripheral arterial disease
- aortic aneurysms
- kidney disease
- vascular dementia
Source: NHS
Source: Read Full Article