Question

A common cause of cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to a buildup of plaque. For instance, significant narrowing in the coronary arteries, which bring oxygenated blood to the heart, can produce symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, and breathlessness. By NIH: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons 1)

The chart provides typical values for blood flow through a coronary artery. Calculate the pressure drop across this artery. Density (blood) ρ 1060 kg/m3

Viscosity (blood) η 0.004 Pa*s

Flow rate Q 0.8 mL/s

Length (artery) L 2 cm

Radius (artery) r 0.2 cm

using poiseuille's law

Answer 1

Density (blood) ρ = 1060 kg/m³

Viscosity (blood) η = 0.004 Pa*s

Flow rate Q = 0.8 mL/s = 0.8 X 10^-6 m³ /s

Length (artery) L = 2 cm = 0.02 m

Radius (artery) r = 0.2 cm = 0.002 m

using Poiseuille's law we have

P = 10.18 Pa

the pressure drop across this artery is 10.18 Pa