A Mathematical Model of Heart Rate Control by Sympathetic and Vagus Efferent Information

The effect on heart rate of stimulation of sympathetic and vagus efferent nerves to the heart has been described in a qualitative fashion by many investiga tors. However, except for the work of Rosenblueth and Simeone1 in 1934, no attempt has been made to analyze in a quantitative way the dynamic relation ship between heart rate and frequency of stimulation of these nerves. The present study was undertaken with the hope that such an analysis might yield useful information regarding a) the nature of the physical and chemical events involved in this transformation and b) the dynamic and steady-state parameters of this link of the heart rate control system.