Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

1.5K
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
1.5K
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

2.0K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
2.0K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers01:17

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers

2.3K
β1-receptors are primarily located in the heart and kidneys. In cardiac myocytes, these receptors interact with neurotransmitters released by the sympathetic nervous system during heightened activity or danger. As a result, β1-receptors get activated, initiating a series of biochemical processes. Excessive activation of beta receptors due to chronic stress can abnormally increase heart rate and contractility, resulting in high blood pressure or hypertension. To counteract this,...
2.3K
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

1.6K
Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
1.6K
Sympathetic Signaling01:31

Sympathetic Signaling

3.6K
Sympathetic signaling, a vital part of the autonomic nervous system, plays a crucial role in mobilizing the body's resources in response to stress or emergencies. It involves the transmission of nerve impulses from sympathetic preganglionic fibers to postganglionic fibers. This results in the release of specific neurotransmitters and activation of adrenergic receptors.
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto the ganglionic neurons in the...
3.6K
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

1.2K
β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation,...
1.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Functional knock out of Acid Sensing Ion Channel 3 prevents the exaggerated exercise pressor reflex in rats exercising on a treadmill.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2025
Same author

Exaggerated cardiovascular responses to treadmill running in rats with peripheral arterial insufficiency.

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2017
Same author

The role played by oxidative stress in evoking the exercise pressor reflex in health and simulated peripheral artery disease.

The Journal of physiology·2017
Same author

Functional muscle ischemia in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Frontiers in physiology·2014
Same author

Dual AAV therapy ameliorates exercise-induced muscle injury and functional ischemia in murine models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Human molecular genetics·2013
Same author

Differential effects of nebivolol versus metoprolol on functional sympatholysis in hypertensive humans.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)·2013
Same journal

The co-existence of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A systematic review of the literature.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2026
Same journal

Urodynamics and what they reveal about autonomic innervation of the lower urinary tract: A narrative review.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2026
Same journal

Pelvic venous disorders and orthostatic intolerance: A systematic review of diagnostic associations and treatment outcomes.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2026
Same journal

Application of heart rate variability in clinical practice and research: A systematic review of recent years.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2026
Same journal

Spinal afferent endings in the gastrointestinal tract.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2026
Same journal

Gastric myoelectrical activity and autonomic dysfunction in children with IBD and IBS: An electrogastrographic and autonomic correlation study.

Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Quantifying Acute Changes in Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Response to Central Nervous System Manipulations in Anesthetized Rats
06:30

Quantifying Acute Changes in Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Response to Central Nervous System Manipulations in Anesthetized Rats

Published on: September 11, 2018

8.4K

Functional sympatholysis in hypertension.

Gail D Thomas1

  • 1Heart and Vascular Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, H047, Hershey, PA 17033, United States.

Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical
|December 3, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Functional sympatholysis, a mechanism protecting exercising muscles, is impaired in hypertension. This review explores how this impairment causes poor blood flow in skeletal muscles during exercise and discusses potential treatments.

Keywords:
ExerciseFunctional sympatholysisHypertensionSympathetic vasoconstriction

More Related Videos

Novel Approach for Simultaneous Recording of Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressure with Intravenous Infusion in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice.
11:08

Novel Approach for Simultaneous Recording of Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressure with Intravenous Infusion in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice.

Published on: February 14, 2018

11.2K
Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion
08:35

Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion

Published on: May 26, 2022

4.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Quantifying Acute Changes in Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Response to Central Nervous System Manipulations in Anesthetized Rats
06:30

Quantifying Acute Changes in Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Response to Central Nervous System Manipulations in Anesthetized Rats

Published on: September 11, 2018

8.4K
Novel Approach for Simultaneous Recording of Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressure with Intravenous Infusion in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice.
11:08

Novel Approach for Simultaneous Recording of Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Blood Pressure with Intravenous Infusion in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice.

Published on: February 14, 2018

11.2K
Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion
08:35

Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion

Published on: May 26, 2022

4.5K

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Skeletal Muscle Metabolism
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising muscle is normally reduced by local factors, a process known as functional sympatholysis.
  • Functional sympatholysis is crucial for matching muscle blood flow with metabolic needs during physical activity.
  • This protective mechanism is increasingly recognized as impaired in hypertensive individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence on impaired functional sympatholysis in hypertension.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms behind inappropriate sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising skeletal muscle in hypertension.
  • To discuss therapeutic strategies for restoring functional sympatholysis and improving exercise perfusion in hypertensive patients.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of findings from animal models of hypertension.
  • Analysis of studies involving patients with essential hypertension.
  • Review of literature on vascular responsiveness and muscle metabolites.

Main Results:

  • Hypertension is associated with a deficit in functional sympatholysis in skeletal muscle.
  • This impairment contributes to skeletal muscle malperfusion during exercise in hypertensive conditions.
  • Underlying mechanisms involve altered vascular responsiveness to sympathetic activation.

Conclusions:

  • Impaired functional sympatholysis is a significant factor in exercise-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction in hypertension.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is key to developing treatments that improve muscle blood flow.
  • Restoring functional sympatholysis may enhance exercise capacity and outcomes in hypertensive individuals.