Journal of mathematical biology
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"Mayer waves" are long-period (6 to 12 seconds) oscillations in arterial blood pressure, which have been observed and studied for more than 100 years in the cardiovascular system of humans and other mammals. A mathematical model of the human cardiovascular system is presented, incorporating parameters relevant to the onset of Mayer waves. ⋯ The results agree with clinical observations of Mayer waves in human subjects, both in the period of the oscillations and in the observed age-dependence of Mayer waves. This leads to a proposed explanation of their occurrence, namely that Mayer waves are a gain-induced oscillation.