The formula for blood pressure can be expressed as which of the following?

Blood pressure is fundamentally determined by the relationship between cardiac output and peripheral resistance. Cardiac output refers to the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, while peripheral resistance is the resistance to blood flow offered by the systemic vascular system, mainly influenced by the diameter and elasticity of the blood vessels.

The correct expression that captures the relationship between these two components is the product of cardiac output and peripheral resistance. As cardiac output increases, for example, due to physical activity or stress, blood pressure typically rises unless offset by a decrease in peripheral resistance. Similarly, if peripheral resistance increases (through constriction of blood vessels), blood pressure will also rise if cardiac output remains constant. This relationship emphasizes how the heart's output and the systemic vascular resistance work together to determine overall blood pressure.

This understanding is crucial for managing conditions like hypertension, as interventions may target either the heart's performance or the tone of the blood vessels to effectively control blood pressure.