• Question: why does the blood rush to your head and not your feet

    Asked by Kate to William, Karen, Jasmine on 16 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: William

      William answered on 16 Nov 2018:


      Really Good Question! actually, it does. That is the cause of varicose veins and orthostatic hypotension. But there are things in your body that counteract this tendency.
      First, the veins in your legs have valves in them. The valves are one way. It helps the blood get back up to the heart. If the valves break down, or if there is a problem with the oncotic pressure in the blood, the fluid will leak and the legs will swell up. That is why people with swollen legs must elevate them.
      Second, the body responds with an increased heart rate and increased vascular tone when you stand up. This helps to maintain the blood pressure when you are standing. That is why people on a lot of blood pressure medications have to stand up really slowly. If they stand up too fast, all the blood rushes to the feet and they get dizzy and might faint.

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