When a artherosclerotic plaque reducues the vessel radius over a small portion of its length,does the velocity

Answer 1

A1V1 = A2V2 i think its called continuity equation or something

while the area is smaller in the clogged artery the velocity of blood thru that artery will speed up. Its like putting ur finger over the hose.....by decreasing the area u increase the velocity

Answer 2

If the pressure is increased enough to compensate for the increases resistance to flow, then the mass flow will stay the same, with a corresponding increase in velocity. This would be stated by V2/ V1 = A1 / A2, or V2 = (A1 / A2) X V1. A1 / A2 is greater than 1, so V2 would be greater than V1.

However, the pump (the heart is this case) often doesn't increase output enough to fully compensate for the change in downstream resistance to flow. Instead, it operates at a higher pressure, requiring more energy, to regain some of the lost flow rate, but not enough to return the system to previous flow levels.

In the human condition this means higher risk of heart failure, and the diseases associated with high(er) blood pressure such as stroke.