Annu Rev Physiol February 2021 PMID 33167747

The Remarkable Cardiovascular System of Giraffes.

Christian Aalkjær, Tobias Wang

Mentions

41
Peak: 5 in Jan 2021
across 4 sources since Nov 2020

Extended reach

40,285
potential audience

Total likes

126

Video views

287

Mentions per month

Nov 2020 – May 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter28 posts
  • News8 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several comments highlight admiration for the giraffes' cardiovascular adaptations, such as 'giraffe CV physiology is the best' and 'Physiology is so AMAZING', reflecting their fascination. Some posts explore biomedical implications, noting how giraffe studies could inform hypertension treatments. The tone is enthusiastic and respectful, emphasizing both scientific curiosity and the animal's unique biology, which collectively portray a high appreciation of the article's importance and relevance.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions support the remarkable adaptations of giraffes, emphasizing their unique cardiovascular system and its significance.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions reflect high interest, with many references to the physiological marvels and their relevance, such as 'Physiology is so AMAZING' and 'giraffe CV physiology is the best'.

EngagementHigh engagement

The comments show deep engagement, mentioning detailed physiological processes like stroke volume, heart rate, and potential biomedical applications, indicating thoughtful interaction.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions underscore strong perceived impact, with mentions of how studying giraffes can help in understanding and treating hypertension and raising awareness through celebratory posts like International Giraffe Day.

Abstract in brief

  • Giraffes have a remarkable cardiovascular system with high blood pressure (around 200 mm Hg) to ensure proper blood flow to the brain when their long necks are lifted, which is essential for maintaining cerebral perfusion.
  • Their blood vessels, heart, and kidneys are specially adapted both structurally and functionally to handle this extreme blood pressure, preventing damage and ensuring efficient circulation.
  • When giraffes stop to drink and then lift their heads, their blood flow and pressures in arteries and veins change significantly, highlighting the unique ways their bodies manage blood pressure during movement.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Tobias Wang
@Tobias_Wang_AU · X

Today is the longest day of the year - and international giraffe day to celebrate the tallest animal on Earth, and I think, their remarkable cardiovascular system: https://t.co/jeFCZrpE2V https://t.co/VjUy3uwriX

Jun 21, 2022 · 42 likes · 1 share · 976 followers View post →
Christian Aalkjaer
@aalkjaer · X

Enjoy this update from @AarhusUni on the remarkable cardiovascular system of giraffes https://t.co/BO5mealKdf #cardiovascular @tobiaswang1

Nov 16, 2020 · 22 likes · 4 shares · 177 followers View post →
Patrice Brassard, PhD
@Pat_Brassard · X

I've always been fascinated by this animal model, especially regarding CBF regulation. Probably my postdoc supervisor's fault (Niels Secher). Nice read !

Jan 12, 2021 · 13 likes · 3 shares · 1,738 followers View post →
Yalda Afshar
@yafshar · X

Physiology is so AMAZING.

Nov 5, 2021 · 6 likes · 1 share · 4,165 followers View post →
Raleigh M. Linville
@LinvilleRaleigh · X

Happy Friday to giraffes and non-giraffes alike!

Nov 5, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,252 followers View post →
British Society for Cardiovascular Research
@BSCResearch · X

A meeting highlight: Christian Aalkjaer (University of Aarhus, Denmark) delivers the #BSCR Marshall Distinguished Investigator Lecture; The Remarkable Cardiovascular System of Giraffes https://t.co/cxAHoAblO3

Sep 2, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,591 followers View post →

All mentions

Unique Cardiovascular Adaptations in Giraffes

Giraffes possess a remarkable cardiovascular system with high blood pressure to maintain brain perfusion when their necks are lifted. Their specially adapted blood vessels, heart, and kidneys manage this extreme…

COD · Aug 4, 2021 5 views
Michael Taggart
@mick_tagg · X

@awmackenzie Interestingly, giraffes have an incredible cardiovascular system adapted to enable physiological blood pressure regulation in the face of large gravitational forces ... https://t.co/PwgNGSS4lW @AnnualReviews

May 26, 2025 · 4 likes · 698 followers View post →
tune
@keisuke4713 · X

https://t.co/lXDJiCHnZy 水

Nov 19, 2024 · 1 like · 3,737 followers View post →
British Society for Cardiovascular Research
@BSCResearch · X

A meeting highlight: Christian Aalkjaer (University of Aarhus, Denmark) delivers the #BSCR Marshall Distinguished Investigator Lecture; The Remarkable Cardiovascular System of Giraffes https://t.co/cxAHoAblO3

Sep 2, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,591 followers View post →
KagawaECG
@KagawaECG · X

↓引用文献 https://t.co/tf44oML2Mg

Jan 1, 2024 · 12,021 followers View post →
Srinivas Murthy, MD, MHSc
@srinmurthy99 · X

@verofiamenghi @drmiketodorovic giraffe CV physiology is the best. not just BP, but how they've adapted everything for their height. a nice review here: https://t.co/HWN3CU3CRd

Jul 13, 2023 · 1 like · 1,929 followers View post →
Christopher Torrens
@chris_torrens · X

Luckily we have an excellent view of the adaptations that allow giraffes to maintain cerebral perfusion. https://t.co/KlqxPSuegF

Mar 28, 2023 · 1 like · 980 followers View post →
Tobias Wang
@Tobias_Wang_AU · X

@ChrisMinson Indeed! Stroke volume is low, but heart rate is not High, so cardiac output is low. We still struggle with the vonsequences for exercise tolerance and VO2max. And total resistance is very high. Read more here: https://t.co/XejicrT5Sj https://t.co/Vl5km072rD

Jan 5, 2023 · 976 followers View post →
Alex Suchodolski
@NewsBasset · X

https://t.co/b0r4jHYK40

Oct 7, 2022 · 76 followers View post →
Henry Burridge
@HenryBurridge · X

@tomrocksmaths Check this out for starters: https://t.co/YA8OQtZhcp.

Sep 23, 2022 · 1 like · 739 followers View post →
Bjarke Jensen
@BjarkeJensen4 · X

RT @Tobias_Wang_AU: Today is the longest day of the year - and international giraffe day to celebrate the tallest animal on Earth, and I th…

Jun 22, 2022 · 1 share · 683 followers View post →
Tobias Wang
@Tobias_Wang_AU · X

Today is the longest day of the year - and international giraffe day to celebrate the tallest animal on Earth, and I think, their remarkable cardiovascular system: https://t.co/jeFCZrpE2V https://t.co/VjUy3uwriX

Jun 21, 2022 · 42 likes · 1 share · 976 followers View post →
Yalda Afshar
@yafshar · X

Physiology is so AMAZING.

Nov 5, 2021 · 6 likes · 1 share · 4,165 followers View post →
Raleigh M. Linville
@LinvilleRaleigh · X

Happy Friday to giraffes and non-giraffes alike!

Nov 5, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,252 followers View post →
Michael Taggart
@mick_tagg · X

@chris_torrens Indeed so! See: https://t.co/lR3zM2t5Fm from @aalkjaer

Sep 13, 2021 · 698 followers View post →
Aizoi
@Aizoimed · X

I recenti studi effettuati sul sistema cardiovascolare delle giraffe possono aiutare gli scienziati biomedici a curare l'ipertensione, un problema che afflige circa il 30% della popolazione, con soluzioni innovative. Link all'articolo: https://t.co/nQJqamRIkd #cardio #giraffe https://t.co/MXAUYyI1OI

Jun 3, 2021 · 205 followers View post →
Clinical Autonomic Research
@ClinAutonRes · X

Via @AnnualReviews: Why giraffes don't faint: https://t.co/iwtM18RK5t

Feb 5, 2021 · 1 like · 1,756 followers View post →
Leena N. Shoemaker
@leena_shoemaker · X

RT @Pat_Brassard: I've always been fascinated by this animal model, especially regarding CBF regulation. Probably my postdoc supervisor's f…

Jan 13, 2021 · 3 shares · 484 followers View post →
Trevor Day
@trevoraday · X

RT @Pat_Brassard: I've always been fascinated by this animal model, especially regarding CBF regulation. Probably my postdoc supervisor's f…

Jan 13, 2021 · 3 shares · 590 followers View post →
eprodel
@eprodel · X

RT @Pat_Brassard: I've always been fascinated by this animal model, especially regarding CBF regulation. Probably my postdoc supervisor's f…

Jan 13, 2021 · 3 shares · 156 followers View post →
Patrice Brassard, PhD
@Pat_Brassard · X

I've always been fascinated by this animal model, especially regarding CBF regulation. Probably my postdoc supervisor's fault (Niels Secher). Nice read !

Jan 12, 2021 · 13 likes · 3 shares · 1,738 followers View post →
Kevin Davy
@davykevinp · X

Ever wonder why giraffes don't get periph edema? Or, if their hearts are large enough to withstand a systemic BP of 200mmHg? How does the kidney withstand this BP? How is the brain circulation protected when giraffe's lower their head to drink?

Jan 8, 2021 · 1,309 followers View post →
Christopher Torrens
@chris_torrens · X

RT @aalkjaer: Enjoy this update from @AarhusUni on the remarkable cardiovascular system of giraffes https://t.co/BO5mealKdf #cardiovascula…

Dec 31, 2020 · 4 shares · 980 followers View post →
Imogen Smart
@ImogenSmart2 · X

RT @aalkjaer: Enjoy this update from @AarhusUni on the remarkable cardiovascular system of giraffes https://t.co/BO5mealKdf #cardiovascula…

Dec 22, 2020 · 4 shares · 43 followers View post →
Bjarke Jensen
@BjarkeJensen4 · X

@NHMdinolab @Paleocreations Sauropods arguing about blood pressure? Brilliant

Dec 3, 2020 · 1 like · 683 followers View post →
Maria Glarou
@mglarou · X

RT @Zoophysiology6: read more about the cardiovascular system of giraffes in the most recent Annual Reviews of Physiology: https://t.co/Zgu…

Nov 16, 2020 · 1 share · 138 followers View post →
Zoophysiology
@ZoophysiologyAU · X

read more about the cardiovascular system of giraffes in the most recent Annual Reviews of Physiology: https://t.co/ZguxibY6RS @allkjaer @tobiaswang1 https://t.co/t1osjkB8CT

Nov 16, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 471 followers View post →
Bjarke Jensen
@BjarkeJensen4 · X

RT @aalkjaer: Enjoy this update from @AarhusUni on the remarkable cardiovascular system of giraffes https://t.co/BO5mealKdf #cardiovascula…

Nov 16, 2020 · 4 shares · 683 followers View post →
Christian Aalkjaer
@aalkjaer · X

Enjoy this update from @AarhusUni on the remarkable cardiovascular system of giraffes https://t.co/BO5mealKdf #cardiovascular @tobiaswang1

Nov 16, 2020 · 22 likes · 4 shares · 177 followers View post →