Final answer:
Approaching death is commonly associated with a decreased heart rate and blood pressure due to the body's failing compensatory mechanisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical manifestations of approaching death in the cardiovascular system typically include a decreased heart rate and blood pressure. This can be a result of the body's declining ability to maintain homeostasis, and various biological feedback mechanisms failing. When approaching death, baroreceptors, which are blood-pressure receptors located in the arch of the aorta and carotid arteries, may detect a decrease in blood volume and pressure.
However, the compensatory mechanism to increase heart rate and contraction strength becomes less effective. Consequently, the heart rate and the strength of heart contractions tend to slow down, a condition often observed during the dying process.