How our body’s tiny gas helper keeps blood flowing smoothly
Nitric oxide regulates basal systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance in healthy humans.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Pulmonary vascular resistance increased by 39.8% without any change in mean pulmonary artery pressure.
Typically, increased resistance in lung vessels is expected to raise pressure, but here pressure stayed stable — suggesting compensatory mechanisms or regional vascular effects not previously emphasized in healthy humans.
Practical Takeaways
Support your body’s natural nitric oxide production through diet (e.g., leafy greens rich in nitrates) and exercise, which may help maintain healthy blood pressure and circulation.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Pulmonary vascular resistance increased by 39.8% without any change in mean pulmonary artery pressure.
Typically, increased resistance in lung vessels is expected to raise pressure, but here pressure stayed stable — suggesting compensatory mechanisms or regional vascular effects not previously emphasized in healthy humans.
Practical Takeaways
Support your body’s natural nitric oxide production through diet (e.g., leafy greens rich in nitrates) and exercise, which may help maintain healthy blood pressure and circulation.
Publication
Journal
Circulation
Year
1994
Authors
J. Stamler, E. Loh, M. Roddy, Kristen E. Currie, M. Creager
Related Content
Claims (4)
In healthy people, a substance in blood vessels called nitric oxide helps keep blood pressure and vessel tightness in check. When scientists blocked this substance, blood vessels tightened up and blood pressure went up, showing how important it is for keeping things normal.
In healthy people, a molecule called nitric oxide helps keep blood vessels in the lungs open and relaxed when oxygen levels are normal. When scientists blocked its production, the lung blood vessels became more resistant to blood flow, even though overall pressure didn’t change.
When doctors blocked a chemical called nitric oxide in healthy people, their hearts pumped less blood with each beat and overall, showing that this chemical helps keep the heart working normally when we're just resting.
Your blood pressure goes up if your heart pumps more blood, if you have more blood in your body, or if your blood vessels become tighter — any one of these can push pressure higher.