An individual's blood pressure is a product of which two factors?

Blood pressure is fundamentally determined by two key physiological factors: heart rate and peripheral resistance.

Heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute, contributing directly to cardiac output—the volume of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a given time frame. When the heart rate increases, assuming stroke volume remains constant, it elevates the amount of blood being pushed into the arteries, which can raise blood pressure.

Peripheral resistance, on the other hand, pertains to the resistance that blood vessels offer against the flow of blood. This resistance is influenced by factors such as the diameter of the blood vessels, the overall health of the vascular system, and the viscosity of the blood. When peripheral resistance increases—such as during vasoconstriction—blood pressure rises, as the same volume of blood is forced through narrower channels.

Together, heart rate and peripheral resistance provide a comprehensive understanding of blood pressure regulation, as they interact dynamically to maintain adequate blood flow and pressure throughout the body. This is why the correct answer involves these two factors.