The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nerve Affect

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system plays a strong role in regulating heart rate. In the most general terms, the sympathetic nervous system acts to encourage the heart rate to increase. Think of this as a friend of the heart who tries to cheer up the heart when it is down. When successful, this sympathetic response causes the heart rate to increase.

The parasympathetic response is tied to the sympathetic response. By analogy, this is the adult figure that doesn't let the sympathetic "friend" get the heart too excited. The parasympathetic response keeps things from getting out of control in much the same way a parent would keep the kids from getting too rowdy.

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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