Anatomy and Physiology: Three Factors that Affect Heart Rate

This picture was from: http://www.zeitnews.org/applied-sciences/tiny-new-tool-to-track-heart-rate-in-real-time-on-a-smartphone.html.

During a lab this week, we experimented with factors that can change heart rate.  Three examples of these factors were caffeine, sugar, and music.  Caffeine, sugar, and fast music increased my heart rate while slow music slowed down my heart rate.

These factors can affect other systems.  Caffeine can take toll on the nervous system if too much of it is consumed.  Sugar can affect the endocrine system because when there is sugar in the bloodstream, the pancreas will secrete more of the hormone insulin into the bloodstream.  Music can affect the immune system.  Listening to, in particular, slow, relaxing music can reduce stress lower high blood pressure, boosting the immune system.


Source:
The information about music came from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/135181-music-its-effects-heart-rate/.
The picture of coffee was from: http://www.kobos.com/Kobos_Knows/Kobos-Knows-Coffee/Caffeine/.
The picture of sugar was from: http://www.angrytrainerfitness.com/2011/04/ask-alfonso-simple-sugars-the-simple-truth/.
The picture of music notes was from: http://www.hoopcity.ca/page/hooping-music.