Platelets are stimulated to interact with collagen or fibrin on the exposed connective tissue leading to platelet activation. Activated platelets initiate the intrinsic clotting pathway wherein fibrin is generated and cross-linked and further platelet aggregation is stimulated. Continued vessel wall stress exerted from the lumen probably plays a role in this. Hypertension also may increase platelet aggregation, thereby exacerbating the atherosclerotic process. Measuring Blood Pressure One way to gauge the blood flow through the cardiovascular system is by measuring blood pressure.
Blood pressure is reported as two numbers.
The top or systolic blood pressure is the maximum force or pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts. The lower or diastolic blood pressure is the measure of lowest pressure which occurs in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats. These together give an idea of the blood flow throughout the system. Consistently high blood pressure may mean that constricted arteries are making the heart work harder than it normally would.