Definition
A rise in the heart rate due to a rise in blood pressure in the right atrium, which in turn is caused by an increase in the flow or pressure of blood in the great veins at its entrance.
Supplement
The brainbridge reflex is important since it is a mechanism through which the heart flow is maintained. In instances wherein the left side of the heart is unable to keep up, the arterial pressure drops and this results in the blood flowing back up towards the pulmonary system and the venous side of the heart. This occurs especially when the heart fails caused by a heart disease.
Dictionary > Bainbridge reflex
