vascular tone

Vascular tone refers to the degree of tension or contraction in the walls of blood vessels, primarily controlled by the muscles in vessel walls and their nervous system signals. This tone determines how wide or narrow the vessels are, affecting blood flow and blood pressure. When vessels are more constricted, resistance increases, raising blood pressure; when they relax, resistance decreases, lowering blood pressure. Vascular tone helps regulate blood distribution to organs and responds to the body's needs during activities like exercise or rest. It is an essential aspect of maintaining healthy circulation and blood pressure stability.