Search results
Mar 13, 2018 · The circulatory system and the respiratory system work closely together to ensure that organ tissues receive enough oxygen. Oxygen is required for cellular functions. The air breathed in and held in the lungs is transferred to the blood. The blood is circulated by the heart, which pumps the oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body.
Sep 4, 2024 · Circulatory System. Your circulatory system, or cardiovascular system, supplies oxygen and nutrients to your whole body and removes waste through your blood. Your heart pumps blood that flows through your arteries, veins and capillaries. These blood vessels and your heart form your circulatory system.
- Overview
- Components of the cardiovascular system
- Anatomy
- Structure of the heart
- The importance of the heart
- What is the cardiac cycle?
- Common diseases of the cardiovascular system
- How aging affects the cardiovascular system
- Summary
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its primary function is to transport nutrients and oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body and to carry deoxygenated blood back to the lungs.
Abnormalities or injuries to any or all parts of the cardiovascular system can result in serious health complications. Common conditions that can affect the cardiovascular system include coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke.
The cardiovascular system is the system responsible for delivering blood to different parts of the body. It consists of the following organs and tissues:
•The heart: A muscular pump that forces blood around the body.
•A closed system of blood vessels: These vessels include:
•Arteries: Vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
•Veins: Vessels that bring blood back to the heart.
•Capillaries: Tiny vessels that branch off from arteries to deliver blood to all body tissues.
Click on the BodyMap above to interact with a 3D model of the circulatory system.
The heart consists of four distinct chambers: two upper chambers called “atria” and two lower chambers called “ventricles.” A wall or “septum” separates the atria and ventricles. Valves control the flow of blood within the different chambers.
Blood follows the following path through the heart:
1.Blood lacking oxygen returns from the body and enters the right atrium (upper right chamber) via the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava veins.
2.Blood flows through the tricuspid valve and enters the right ventricle (lower right chamber).
3.The right ventricle pumps blood through the pulmonary valve and out of the heart via the main pulmonary artery.
4.The blood then flows through the left and right pulmonary arteries into the lungs. Here, the process of breathing draws oxygen into the blood and removes carbon dioxide. As a result, the blood is now rich in oxygen.
The heart pumps blood through closed vessels to every tissue within the body. The blood itself then delivers nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body. Without blood, the cells and tissues would not function at their total capacity and would begin to malfunction and die.
The cardiac cycle consists of two phases.
The first phase is diastole, in which the ventricles fill with blood. It begins when the aortic or pulmonary valve closes and ends when the mitral or tricuspid valve closes. During diastole, blood vessels return blood to the heart in preparation for the next contraction of the ventricles.
Heart attack
A heart attack happens when a part of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. This can occur due to a blockage, a tear in an artery around the heart, or if the heart requires more oxygen than is available. Symptoms of a heart attack include: •chest pain or discomfort •feeling lightheaded •pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back •pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders •shortness of breath Three of the main risk factors of a heart attack are: •high blood cholesterol •high blood pressure •smoking People who have had a heart attack can lower their chances of future cardiovascular problems by engaging in the following: •regular physical activity •reaching or maintaining a moderate weight •following a heart-healthy diet •quitting smoking •undergoing cardiac rehabilitation
Stroke
A stroke is a medical condition in which the blood supply to a part of the brain becomes cut off. This lack of blood supply triggers the death of brain cells. There are two types of stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs as a result of a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs as a result of a bleed in or around the brain. Some significant risk factors of a stroke include: •high blood pressure •diabetes •heart disease •smoking •personal or family history of stroke •older age •being of African American heritage Symptoms of a stroke begin suddenly and may include: •one-sided weakness or numbness of the leg, arm, or face •vision problems in one or both eyes •difficulty speaking or understanding speech •confusion •dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking •severe headache The treatment for stroke will depend on the type. A person who experiences ischemic stroke may receive medications to help break up the blood clot and restore blood flow to their brain. A person who experiences a hemorrhagic stroke may require surgery to fix the blood vessel that is bleeding out. Follow-up treatments for stroke may include: •antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications to help prevent the formation of new blood clots •medications to lower blood pressure •medications called statins to reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood •physical therapy •rehabilitation therapy •speech therapy
Heart failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to satisfy the body’s needs. Some symptoms of heart failure include: •persistent coughing or wheezing •shortness of breath •exercise intolerance •increased heart rate •nausea •lack of appetite •swelling •fatigue •confusion Risk factors of heart failure include: •high blood pressure •coronary artery disease •personal history of one of the following conditions: •heart attack •diabetes •sleep apnea •congenital heart defect There is no cure for heart failure. But treatments can help to slow the progression of the disease and alleviate symptoms. Examples include: •lifestyle changes, such as dietary and exercise changes •devices and surgical procedures •medications to manage blood pressure or cholesterol levels •diuretics to reduce swelling, or edema
As a person ages, their heart begins to work less effectively than it used to. For example, it cannot beat as fast during physical activity, although the resting heart rate remains steady. Arrhythmias can also develop as the heart ages.
Another common condition of aging is more stiffness in the large arteries and stiffness of the heart muscle. This stiffness can cause high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure. Stiffness of the heart can also cause congestive heart failure.
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, veins, arteries, and capillaries. These components make up two circulatory systems: the systemic and pulmonary circulatory systems. The cardiac cycle consists of two phases: systole (relaxation) and diastole (contraction).
Some conditions that can affect the heart include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmia.
Oct 16, 2022 · The cardiovascular system provides blood supply throughout the body. Responding to various stimuli can control the velocity and amount of blood carried through the vessels. The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. The heart and vessels work intricately to provide adequate blood flow to all body parts. The regulation of the cardiovascular system occurs ...
- Raheel Chaudhry, Julia H. Miao, Afzal Rehman
- 2022/10/16
How the Cardiorespiratory System Works. The cardiorespiratory system operates to obtain and circulate vital compounds throughout the body—specifically, oxygen and nutrients, such as food energy, vitamins, and minerals. Both oxygen and nutrients, which are imperative for cellular energy production, must be taken in from the lungs and digestive ...
- Kerri Z. Delaney, Leslie Barker
- 2020
The cardiovascular and the respiratory system both work toward the same goal: getting oxygen to tissues and getting carbon dioxide out. The respiratory system is involved in supplying oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. When the heart receives blood that is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide, it pumps it to the lungs via the ...
People also ask
What is the main function of the cardiovascular system?
What is a cardiovascular system?
How does the cardiovascular system provide blood supply throughout the body?
What is the physiology of the heart?
How does the cardiovascular system work?
Sep 12, 2023 · The circulatory system, also called cardiovascular system, is a vital organ system that delivers essential substances to all cells for basic functions to occur. Also commonly known as the cardiovascular system, is a network composed of the heart as a centralised pump, blood vessels that distribute blood throughout the body, and the blood itself, for transportation of different substances.
